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Vitamin D intake in young children with acute lower respiratory infection
Karen S Leis1, J Dayre McNally1, Matthew R Montgomery1
11 Department of Pediatrics, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; 2 Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario; 3 Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta; 4 Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan.
Insights
Lower vitamin D intake is linked to increased risk of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in young children. Higher vitamin D intake may offer protection against common childhood illnesses like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) are a leading cause of hospitalization in children under five.
- Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immune function, but its specific role in preventing ALRI requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between vitamin D intake and the incidence of ALRI in children under five years of age.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study compared vitamin D intake in 197 children hospitalized with ALRI (bronchiolitis or pneumonia) to a control group.
- Caregiver questionnaires collected data on demographics, ALRI risk factors, and dietary intake, including vitamin D.
Main Results:
- Children with ALRI had a lower mean vitamin D intake (48 IU/kg/d) compared to controls (60 IU/kg/d).
- After adjusting for confounding factors, children with vitamin D intake below 80 IU/kg/d were over four times more likely to have ALRI (OR 4.9).
Conclusions:
- Current vitamin D recommendations may be insufficient for protecting children against ALRI.
- Increased vitamin D supplementation could be a significant public health strategy for reducing childhood hospitalizations due to respiratory infections.
Objective:
To determine if vitamin D intake is associated with acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in children.
Methods:
The vitamin D intakes of children younger than 5 years of age admitted to hospital with either bronchiolitis or pneumonia were compared to an unmatched control group of the same age without respiratory infection. Caregivers of 197 children completed a questionnaire collecting information on demographic variables, ALRI risk factors and diet. Associations of ALRI with vitamin D intake and other ALRI risk factors were determined.
Results:
The mean vitamin D intake of children with ALRI was 48 IU/kg/d compared to 60 IU/kg/d in the control group. When controlling for age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, northern residence, breastfeeding, immunizations and smoking contact, children with a vitamin D intake of less than 80 IU/kg/d were greater than 4 times more likely to have ALRI compared to children with a vitamin D intake exceeding 80 IU/kg/day (OR 4.9, 95% CI: 1.5, 16.4).
Conclusions:
A higher vitamin D intake than currently recommended might be needed to offer protection against diseases such as ALRI. Increased vitamin D supplementation could have important public health consequences, as bronchiolitis and pneumonia are the most common reasons for hospitalization in young children.
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