The Relationship between Vitamin D, Otitis Media, and Weight

Abstract

Objective: 1) Assess vitamin D levels as a predictor of history of recurrent otitis media (ROM), tube treatment, and weight-for-length (WFL). 2) Explore the relationship of vitamin D as a confounder in the relationship between OM and overweight status. Method: Data were analyzed from a prospective cohort of mothers/children recruited between 1995 and 2002 from local HMO. ROM and tube status were obtained through physical exam and medical records, while WFL data was gathered from well-child checks. Vitamin D levels were assayed from cord blood. Chi-square and logistic regression were performed. Results: A total of 47.9% of children had ROM, 13.2% received tubes. A total of 10.7% of children age 2 years had a WFL ≥ 95th percentile. A total of 56.7% of children had vitamin D levels below sufficient. Children with a sufficient vitamin D level were at greater risk of having a WFL ≥85th in multivariate analysis (OR 2.004, P = .04); however, vitamin D status did not predict ROM or tube status. Children with history of tube treatment had a significantly increased risk of a WFL ≥95th percentile after controlling for family income, maternal prenatal smoking, maternal education, gender, birth season, breastfeeding status, daycare attendance, and vitamin D level (OR 3.69, P = .01). Conclusion: Vitamin D is not a predictor of ROM or tube status; however, children with a vitamin D status that is sufficient are more likely to be ≥85th WFL percentile. Vitamin D status is not a confounder in the relationship between a history of tube treatment and overweight status.