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Low cord-serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with poor lung function performance and increased
Shen-Hao Lai1,2,3, Sui-Ling Liao2,3,4, Ming-Han Tsai2,3,4
1Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Insights
Low vitamin D in newborns is linked to poorer infant lung function and increased respiratory infections. This study highlights the importance of perinatal vitamin D levels for infant respiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal health
- Pediatric respiratory medicine
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Perinatal vitamin D deficiency is a known risk factor for childhood wheezing.
- The impact of perinatal vitamin D on infant lung function remains under-investigated.
- This study addresses the gap in understanding vitamin D's role in early respiratory health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of perinatal vitamin D levels on infant respiratory function.
- To determine the association between maternal and cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and infant lung function.
- To assess the relationship between perinatal vitamin D status and respiratory disease outcomes in infancy.
Main Methods:
- Enrollment of full-term infants in the Prediction of Allergies in Taiwanese Children cohort.
- Measurement of maternal and cord serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels.
- Assessment of infant lung function at 6 months, including tidal breathing and respiratory mechanics.
Main Results:
- High correlation observed between maternal and cord serum 25(OH)D levels (r2 = 0.457, p < 0.0001).
- Infants with lower cord serum 25(OH)D (< 13.7 ng/ml) exhibited increased respiratory system resistance (p < 0.01).
- Lower cord 25(OH)D levels were associated with a higher risk of respiratory tract infection before 6 months of age (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Maternal and cord vitamin D levels are correlated, but their impact on respiratory outcomes differs.
- Low cord serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are significantly associated with impaired infant lung function.
- Perinatal vitamin D deficiency is linked to an increased likelihood of respiratory tract infections in early infancy.
Background:
Perinatal vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of wheezing in childhood. However, the relationship between vitamin D levels and lung function in infancy has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of perinatal vitamin D levels on respiratory function and disease outcome in infancy.
Materials And Methods:
Full-term infants without any chronic diseases or major anomalies were enrolled in the Prediction of Allergies in Taiwanese Children cohort study. Maternal and cord blood were collected for determining the 25(OH)D level. Questionnaires were recorded at birth and 6 months of age. Infant lung function, including tidal breathing analysis, respiratory mechanics, and forced tidal expiration, was tested at 6 months of age.
Results:
A total of 122 mother-infant pairs were enrolled in this study, and 71 infants underwent lung function testing at 6 months of age. 25(OH)D levels in maternal and cord serum were highly correlated (r2 = 0.457, p < 0.0001). Infants with lower cord serum 25(OH)D levels (< 13.7 ng/ml) had higher resistance of respiratory system (p < 0.01) and a higher risk of a respiratory tract infection before the age of 6 months (p < 0.01).
Conclusion:
Although a high correlation was found between maternal and cord vitamin D levels, the effect on respiratory outcome was different. Our study is the first to show that low cord 25(OH)D levels significantly relationship with poorer lung function performance and higher likelihood of a respiratory tract infection before 6 months of age.
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