Prospective study of maternal mid-pregnancy 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and early childhood respiratory disorders.
Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2013 Nov;27(6):532-41. doi: 10.1111/ppe.12080. Epub 2013 Aug 20.
Magnus MC1, Stene LC, Håberg SE, Nafstad P, Stigum H, London SJ, Nystad W.
1Department of Chronic Diseases, Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
BACKGROUND:
Studies suggest that prenatal vitamin D status may be inversely associated with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) early in life. Studies of prenatal vitamin D status and development of asthma have inconsistent findings.
METHODS:
We examined the associations of maternal mid-pregnancy 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level with the frequency of LRTIs by 36 months and with current asthma at 36 months using the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. Maternal plasma 25(OH)D level was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Respiratory disorders were evaluated by maternal report through questionnaires. LRTIs were analysed in a random sample of 1248 children. Asthma was analysed using a case-control design, including 489 cases and 1183 controls. Multivariable generalised linear models calculated adjusted measures of association.
RESULTS:
The median gestational week of sample collection was 18 weeks (range 9, 35). The mean 25(OH)D level was 73.7 nmol/L (standard deviation 23.7). Higher maternal mid-pregnancy 25(OH)D level was associated with a reduced risk of three or more LRTIs by 36 months vs. none, adjusted risk ratio 0.74 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58, 0.93] per 20 nmol/L increase. Associations were similar when examining the frequency of LRTIs by 18 months, and the frequency of LRTIs between 18 and 36 months. Maternal mid-pregnancy 25(OH)D level was not significantly associated with current asthma at 36 months, adjusted odds ratio 0.91 [95% CI 0.81, 1.02] per 20 nmol/L increase.
CONCLUSIONS:
Higher maternal mid-pregnancy 25(OH)D level was associated with a modestly reduced risk of recurrent LRTIs by 36 months, but was not associated with current asthma at 36 months.
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
PMID: 24134527
In plain words
24% less chance of having multiple lung infections for every 8 ng/ml increase if vitamin D level during pregancy
This appears to mean
Increasing vitamin D levels by 24 ng/ml would decrease chance of multiple lung infections by 74%
See also VitaminDWiki
- Search VitaminDWiki for "lower respiratory tract infection" 37 items as of July 2014
- Largest cause of infant deaths is respiratory infections, which is associated with low vitamin D – April 2011
- Acute lower respiratory infection 5X more frequent with low vitamin D intake – June 2012
- Overview Pregnancy and vitamin D has the following summary
IU | Cumulative Benefit | Blood level | Cofactors | Calcium | $*/month |
200 | Better bones for mom with 600 mg of Calcium | 6 ng/ml increase | Not needed | No effect | $0.10 |
400 | Less Rickets (but not zero with 400 IU) 3X less adolescent Schizophrenia Fewer child seizures | 20-30 ng/ml | Not needed | No effect | $0.20 |
2000 | 2X More likely to get pregnant naturally/IVF 2X Fewer dental problems with pregnancy 8X less diabetes 4X fewer C-sections (>37 ng) 4X less preeclampsia (40 ng vs 10 ng) 5X less child asthma 2X fewer language problems age 5 | 42 ng/ml | Desirable | < 750 mg | $1 |
4000 | 2X fewer pregnancy complications 2X fewer pre-term births | 49 ng/ml | Should have cofactors | < 750 mg | $3 |
6000 | Probable: larger benefits for above items Just enough D for breastfed infant More maternal and infant weight | Should have cofactors | < 750 mg | $4 |