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Asthma and Vitamin D Deficiency: Occurrence, Immune Mechanisms, and New Perspectives
Fardis Salmanpour1,2,3, Naghmeh Kian2,3,4, Noosha Samieefar2,3,4
1Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Insights
Vitamin D may influence childhood asthma development and severity, but research findings are inconsistent. Further investigation is needed to clarify its role in treatment and prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Nutritional Immunology
Background:
- Asthma is a prevalent chronic airway inflammatory condition in children.
- Vitamin D's potential roles include lung development, immune regulation, and airway smooth muscle remodeling.
- Existing studies suggest an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and asthma severity, though findings are inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on vitamin D's role in pediatric asthma pathogenesis and prognosis.
- To discuss controversies surrounding vitamin D supplementation efficacy in asthma treatment.
- To conclude the association between vitamin D and childhood asthma.
Main Methods:
- This study is a narrative review of existing literature.
- It synthesizes research on vitamin D's impact on asthma development and clinical course.
- It examines evidence regarding vitamin D as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent.
Main Results:
- Vitamin D may impact lung development and immune responses relevant to asthma.
- Serum vitamin D levels have been inversely associated with asthma severity, but correlations are inconsistent.
- Vitamin D supplementation alongside corticosteroid therapy shows promising results in some studies.
Conclusions:
- The precise role of vitamin D in pediatric asthma pathogenesis and prognosis requires further elucidation.
- Controversies exist regarding the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation for asthma treatment.
- Clarifying vitamin D's link to childhood asthma is crucial for optimizing management strategies.
Abstract:
Asthma, as a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways, has a considerable prevalence among children. Vitamin D might play a role in asthma pathogenesis by affecting the development of the lung, regulating the immune responses, and remodeling of airway smooth muscle (ASM). Study results on the association between the serum level of vitamin D and asthma severity have suggested a converse relationship between lower vitamin D levels and more severe clinical courses. However, they are not consistent in these findings and have shown insignificant correlations, as well. The possible effects of vitamin D on asthma have led researchers to consider this vitamin a potential prophylactic and therapeutic tool for managing children with variant degrees of asthma. Adding vitamin D to the routine corticosteroid therapy of asthmatic children is another field of interest that has shown promising results. In this narrative review study, we aim to elaborate on the existing knowledge on the role of vitamin D in asthma pathogenesis and prognosis, explain the controversies that exist on the effectiveness of treating patients with vitamin D supplements, and make a general conclusion about how vitamin D actually is linked to asthma in children.
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