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Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, vitamin D, and lung function in children with asthma

Yueh-Ying Han1, Franziska Rosser1, Erick Forno1

  • 1Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|June 27, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure may worsen lung function in children with asthma, especially when vitamin D insufficiency is present. This combination appears to have synergistic detrimental effects on respiratory health in this vulnerable group.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • The impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure on lung function in children with asthma remains unclear.
  • The potential role of vitamin D insufficiency in exacerbating PAH's detrimental effects on pediatric asthma is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between PAH exposure and lung function in children with and without asthma.
  • To determine if vitamin D insufficiency modifies the relationship between PAH exposure and lung function in asthmatic children.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 1,821 children (6-17 years) using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2007-2012).
  • Multivariable linear regression analyzed urinary PAH metabolites in relation to lung function and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO).
  • Interaction between vitamin D insufficiency (<30 ng/mL) and PAH exposure on lung function in asthmatic children was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Higher urinary PAH levels (Σmol3,4-PAH) were associated with increased odds of asthma.
  • No direct association was found between urinary PAH and lung function in children with or without asthma.
  • A significant interaction revealed that PAH metabolites were linked to reduced FEV1 and FEV1/FVC (2.7-3.9%) in asthmatic children with vitamin D insufficiency, but not in those with sufficient vitamin D.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D insufficiency and PAH exposure may act synergistically to impair lung function in children with asthma.
  • These findings highlight the importance of considering both environmental exposures and nutritional status in managing pediatric asthma.
Abstract

Keywords:
NHANESasthmachildrenlung functionpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

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