Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

11.1K

Maternal Vitamin D Status and Development of Asthma and Allergy in Early Childhood

Anna Papadopoulou1, Evangelia Bountouvi, Vasiliki Papaevaggelou

  • 1Third Department of Pediatrics, Athens University Medical School, University General Hospital "Attikon", 1 Rimini Str, 12464 - Haidari, Athens-Greece. anpapado@med.uoa.gr.

Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
|May 20, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Maternal vitamin D status is crucial for infant immune development. Low vitamin D in pregnancy may increase the risk of childhood asthma and allergies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Vitamin D plays a key role in immune system and lung development, starting in fetal life.
  • Low vitamin D levels are linked to increased risk of asthma and allergic diseases.
  • Rising asthma and allergy prevalence correlates with vitamin D deficiency epidemics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review factors influencing vitamin D levels during pregnancy.
  • To examine the impact of maternal vitamin D on fetal development.
  • To assess vitamin D's role in childhood asthma and allergy development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies.
  • Analysis of determinants of vitamin D status in pregnant women.
  • Examination of research on vitamin D and infant immune outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Placental transfer of 25(OH)D is vital for fetal vitamin D supply.
  • Maternal vitamin D status significantly impacts fetal immune programming.
  • Evidence suggests a link between maternal vitamin D and offspring's asthma/allergy risk.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal vitamin D status is a critical factor in preventing childhood respiratory and allergic diseases.
  • Further research is needed to understand optimal vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy.
  • Public health strategies should address vitamin D deficiency in pregnant populations.

More Related Videos

Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation07:52

Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation

Published on: July 23, 2012

15.5K
Generating a Reproducible Model of Mid-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation using PolyI:C to Study Susceptibility and Resilience in Offspring09:09

Generating a Reproducible Model of Mid-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation using PolyI:C to Study Susceptibility and Resilience in Offspring

Published on: August 17, 2022

2.5K

Related Concept Videos

Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
3.7K
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
1.2K
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
1.7K
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
41
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
1.3K
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
44