Authors: Erkkola, M.¹; Kaila, M.²; Nwaru, B. I.³; Kronberg-Kippilä, C.⁴; Ahonen, S.³; Nevalainen, J.³; Veijola, R.⁵; Pekkanen, J.; Ilonen, J.; Simell, O.⁶; Knip, M.; Virtanen, S. M.

Source: Clinical & Experimental Allergy, Volume 39, Number 6, June 2009 , pp. 875-882(8)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Summary Background

Vitamin D is known to have a number of immunological effects and it may play a role in preventing allergic diseases. Objectives

To study the effect of maternal intake of vitamin D during pregnancy on the emergence of asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and atopic eczema by the age of 5 years in children with HLA-DQB1-conferred susceptibility for type 1 diabetes. Methods

Children (1669) participating in the population-based birth cohort study were followed for asthma, AR, and atopic eczema assessed by validated questionnaire at 5 years. Maternal diet was assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire. Results

The mean maternal intake of vitamin D was 5.1 (SD 2.6) μg from food and 1.4 (2.6) μg from supplements. Only 32% of the women were taking vitamin D supplements. When adjusted for potential confounders, maternal intake of vitamin D from food was negatively related to risk of asthma [hazard ratio (HR) 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64-0.99] and AR [HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.75-0.97]. Vitamin D supplements alone were not associated with any outcome. Adjustment for maternal intake of other dietary factors did not change the results. Conclusion

Maternal vitamin D intake from foods during pregnancy may be negatively associated with risk of asthma and AR in childhood.

Keywords: asthma; children; eczema; pregnancy; rhinitis; vitamin D intake

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2222.2009.03234.x

Affiliations: 1: Division of Nutrition, Department of Applied Chemistry and Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, 2: Department of Paediatrics and Research Unit, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland, 3: Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland, 4: Unit of Nutrition, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland, 5: Department of Paediatrics, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland, 6: Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland and

Publication date: 2009-06-01

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• By this author: Erkkola, M. ;  Kaila, M. ;  Nwaru, B. I. ;  Kronberg-Kippilä, C. ;  Ahonen, S. ;  Nevalainen, J. ;  Veijola, R. ;  Pekkanen, J. ;  Ilonen, J. ;  Simell, O. ;  Knip, M. ;  Virtanen, S. M.

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