Abstract
Objective: Vitamin D (VD) plays a critical role in immunological processes and studies have been conducted to investigate its role in the development of several allergic and infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that affect the 25(OH)D level in children, and also to assess the relationship between VD and wheezing, allergy, and infection. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four children between 18-24 months of age were included in this study. At the beginning and at the end of the study, a physical examination was performed, blood samples were taken, and parents completed the questionnaire. Half of the children had been recommended at the first visit to take daily 400 units of VD. Follow-up visits were scheduled at the 3rd, 6th and 12th months of the study. Results: The mean age of the infants participating in the study was 20.3±1.5 months. 46.9% (n=30) of the infants were female and 53.1% (n=34) were male. While the 25(OH)D level was 29.8±10.8 ng/ml at the beginning of the study, it was 26.5±10.3 ng/ml (p=0.017) at the end of the study. The percentage of patients with sufficient 25 (OH) D levels was 48.4% (n = 31) at the beginning of the study and 29.7% (n = 19) at the end of the study (p=0.010). A statistically significant relationship was determined between VD intake and serum 25(OH)D level. At the beginning and at the end of the study, the 25(OH)D level was statistically inversely correlated with wheezing. Low 25(OH)D levels were also found to be a risk factor for the development of wheezing. No statistically significant relationship was determined between the serum 25(OH)D level and allergic and respiratory outcomes. Conclusion: When the factors which effect 25(OH)D level were examined, it was only associated with VD supplementation. VD deficiency showed a significant relationship with wheezing development, regardless of supplementation of VD.
Highlights
A significant increase in the frequency of allergic diseases throughout the whole world has been noticed in the last few decades [1]
The mean age of the infants participating in the study was 20.3±1.5 months. 46.9% (n=30) of the infants were female and 53.1% (n=34) were male
It is generally believed that vitamin D (VD) has a protective effect from allergic diseases, at the same time its effects as both increaser and inhibitor of Th2 cells, which play an important role in the pathogenesis of these diseases, are being reported [8,9]
Summary
A significant increase in the frequency of allergic diseases throughout the whole world has been noticed in the last few decades [1]. The strong genetic relationship in the development of allergic diseases is known, environmental factors (exposure to microbial organisms and air pollution) linked to the hygiene hypothesis and changes in life style are influential in this increase [2]. These notions cannot individually explain the increase in these diseases. Some studies have evaluated the significance of nutritional status in the development of allergic diseases [3]. It is generally believed that VD has a protective effect from allergic diseases, at the same time its effects as both increaser and inhibitor of Th2 cells, which play an important role in the pathogenesis of these diseases, are being reported [8,9]
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