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Childhood asthma and vitamin D deficiency in Turkey: is there cause and effect relationship between them?

Metin Uysalol1, Levent Cem Mutlu, Gamze Varol Saracoglu

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Fatih/Capa, 34093 Istanbul, Turkey. metin.uysalol@gmail.com.

Italian Journal of Pediatrics
|December 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency is common in children with asthma, linked to less sunlight exposure and poorer diets. Lower vitamin D levels correlate with increased asthma severity and respiratory infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is a global health concern.
  • It is associated with various diseases, including childhood asthma.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate vitamin D insufficiency in children.
  • To determine the clinical consequences of vitamin D insufficiency in asthmatic children.
  • To investigate the relationship between vitamin D levels and asthma severity.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 170 children (85 asthmatic, 85 healthy), aged 2-14 years.
  • Assessment of serum vitamin D levels, dietary habits, sunlight exposure, and healthcare utilization.
  • Evaluation of asthma severity and control using Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines.

Main Results:

  • Asthmatic children had significantly lower vitamin D levels (16.6 ng/mL) compared to healthy controls (28.2 ng/mL).
  • Asthma group showed reduced sunlight exposure and lower dietary vitamin D intake.
  • Lower vitamin D levels were associated with increased asthma severity, more frequent respiratory infections, and hospitalizations.

Conclusions:

  • A significant correlation exists between plasma 25(OH)D levels and childhood asthma.
  • Factors beyond vitamin D influence this relationship, necessitating further research.
  • This study highlights the importance of vitamin D status in pediatric asthma management.
Abstract

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