Potential role of folate status on pulmonary function in pediatric asthma
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Published on: August 7, 2017
Maria Michelle Papamichael1, Charis Katsardis2, Dimitris Tsoukalas3
1La Trobe University, School of Allied Health, Department of Dietetics, Nutrition & Sport, Melbourne, Australia; European Institute of Nutritional Medicine, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Folate deficiency is linked to impaired lung function in children with asthma, particularly in girls. Monitoring plasma folate levels and implementing early prevention strategies are crucial for managing asthma in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease in children.
- Dietary factors, such as folate intake, may influence asthma severity and progression.
- The Mediterranean diet, rich in folate, is common in certain populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma folate status and lung function in children with asthma on a Mediterranean diet.
- To determine if folate deficiency correlates with impaired spirometry measures in pediatric asthma.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 64 children (mean age 8 ± 2 years) with mild asthma in Athens, Greece.
- Spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were used to assess airway disease.
- Plasma 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) levels were measured and analyzed in quartiles.
Main Results:
- 45.3% of children exhibited folate deficiency (5-MTHF <10 nmol/L).
- Higher plasma 5-MTHF levels positively correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in girls.
- Girls with low plasma folate had significantly lower FVC, FEV1, and PEF compared to those with high folate levels.
Conclusions:
- Folate deficiency may negatively impact pulmonary function in girls with asthma.
- Monitoring folate status in children with asthma is important.
- Early nutritional interventions focusing on folate may be beneficial for managing pediatric asthma.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between plasma folate status and measures of airway disease (as reflected by spirometry) in children with asthma on a traditional Mediterranean diet. We hypothesized that folate deficiency is associated with lung function impairment in this group of children.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 64 children with mild asthma (52% boys, mean age 8 ± 2 y) residing in Athens, Greece. Clinical assessments included spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Plasma 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) was analyzed using high performance-liquid chromatography assay and examined in participants using quartiles (Q1-Q4).
Results:
Of the 64 children, 45.3% were folate deficient (5-MTHF <10 nmol/L). A positive relationship was observed between 5-MTHF and forced vital capacity (FVC; β = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14-1.44; adjusted P = 0.019), forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) (β = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.01-1.55; adjusted P = 0.046), and peak expiratory flow (PEF; β = 1.64; 95% CI, 0.14-3.15; adjusted P = 0.033) in girls only, adjusting for body mass index and regular exercise. Girls with low plasma folate concentrations (Q1), compared with girls with high concentrations (Q4) had 8.64% lower FVC (β = -8.64; 95% CI, -16.18 to -1.09; adjusted P = 0.027), 10.35% FEV1 (β = -10.35; 95% CI, -18.82 to -1.89; adjusted P = 0.019), and 18.72% PEF (β = -18.72; 95% CI, -36.30 to -1.14; adjusted P = 0.038).
Conclusion:
The findings of this study highlighted the potential negative effects of folate deficiency on pulmonary function in girls with asthma, the importance of monitoring folate status in children with asthma, and early prevention strategies.
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