Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2025
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Vitamin D and its association with severity and control of childhood bronchial asthma
Kamalakshi G Bhat1, Soundarya Mahalingam2, V C Soumya3
1Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Insights
Pediatric asthma patients often have low Vitamin D levels, which are linked to worse symptoms and more hospitalizations. This study highlights the importance of addressing Vitamin D deficiency in children with asthma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Nutritional Science
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Bronchial asthma is a prevalent childhood condition.
- Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread, often undetected nutritional issue.
- The link between childhood asthma and Vitamin D status requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess serum Vitamin D levels in children with asthma.
- To investigate the association between Vitamin D levels and asthma severity.
- To determine the relationship between Vitamin D status and asthma control.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based cross-sectional study included 64 children with recurrent wheezing, categorized by age.
- Serum Vitamin D levels were measured using ELISA and classified per the US Endocrine Society.
- Statistical analyses included Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, unpaired t-test, and ANOVA.
Main Results:
- The mean Vitamin D level in the study group was 18.96 ng/ml, indicating deficiency.
- Children with persistent asthma had significantly lower Vitamin D levels (13.75 ng/ml) than those with intermittent asthma (28.52 ng/ml).
- Hypovitaminosis D correlated with increased hospitalizations (P=0.048), higher rescue medication use (P=0.008), and poorer symptom control (P=0.001).
Conclusions:
- Childhood asthma is frequently associated with reduced Vitamin D levels.
- Lower Vitamin D levels in asthmatic children are significantly linked to poor symptom control, exacerbations requiring hospitalization, and increased need for rescue medications.
Background:
Bronchial asthma is a common disease in childhood. Vitamin D deficiency is a common unidentified nutritional deficiency. In spite of high prevalence, an association between the two has not been well understood.
Objectives:
Our study aimed to determine serum Vitamin D levels among asthmatic children and its association with clinical severity and level of control.
Methods:
A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 2017 to 2019 where 64 recurrent wheezers, classified into 6-15 years and the under 5 wheezers as per Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, were included. The group of asthmatic children was comparable with respect to their demographic profiles with good adherence and proper inhaler use. Serum Vitamin D levels were estimated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and classified using the US Endocrine Society classification. Association between Vitamin D status and outcome variables was analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, unpaired t-test, and ANOVA.
Results:
Among the 64 wheezers, 29 (45.3%) had intermittent symptoms and 35 (54.7%) had persistent symptoms. Mean Vitamin D levels in the entire study population were in deficiency range (18.96 ng/ml ± 2.23). Persistent asthmatics had significantly lower Vitamin D levels (13.75 ng/ml) as compared to intermittent asthmatics (28.52 ng/ml). Those asthmatics who had hypovitaminosis D had higher rates of hospitalization (P = 0.048), increased use of rescue medications (P = 0.008), and poor symptom control (P = 0.001).
Conclusions:
Asthmatic children had a higher incidence of reduced Vitamin D levels showing a statistically significant association. There is also a significant association between Vitamin D level and poor symptom control, hospitalization for exacerbations, and requirement of rescue medication in asthmatic children.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
01:30Asthma-IV: Nursing Management
First, in...