Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and infancy reduces aeroallergen sensitisation: a randomised controlled trial
Allergy, DOI: 10.1111/all.12909
Cameron C. Grant1,4,*, Julian Crane3, Edwin A. Mitchell1, Jan Sinclair4, Alistair Stewart2, Tania Milne1, Joshua Knight2, Catherine Gilchrist1 and Carlos A. Camargo Jr5
1Department of Paediatrics: Child & Youth Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
2Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
3Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
4Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
5Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
* Corresponding Author: Cameron Grant, Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health,
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, cc.grant at auckland.ac.nz
Vitamin D supplementation: Woman 27 weeks till birth, Infant 0-6 months
Allergen test at 18 months
| Placebo | 2000 IU mother 800 IU infant | |
| Mite Der-f1 | 18% | 2% |
| Mite Der-f2 | 14% | 2% |
| Mite Der-p1 | 19% | 3% |
| Mite Der-p2 | 12% | 3% |
| Asthma visits (2 or more) | 5% | 0% |
VitaminDWiki would expect much better success if
1) Vitamin D supplementation varied with weight of subjects (which is rarely done in an RCT)
2) Had started earlier and lasted longer
3) Dosages caried with existing vitamin D levels
4) Dosages caried with pre-existing conditions (about 20 are very important - and rarely done in an RCT)
5) Added cofactors: Magnesium, Omega-3. etc, (which is rarely done in an RCT)
6) Used a Loading dose ( mother's vitamin D levels were still rising at 36 weeks)
Loading dose would have provided good level all during pregnancy
See also VitaminDWiki
- Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) risk reduced 20 percent for each 100 IU of vitamin D during early pregnancy – Feb 2016
- Asthma in 3 year olds decreased somewhat with 4,000 IU during pregnancy – RCT Jan 2016
- Largest cause of infant deaths is respiratory infections, which is associated with low vitamin D – April 2011
- Wheezing reduced 35 percent if vitamin D added during pregnancy – April 2015
- 800 IU vitamin D for infant and 2000 IU for mother is good, not great – RCT Dec 2013 same cohort and authors
- 2000 IU vitamin D during pregnancy and 800 IU to infant resulted in less use of antibiotics – RCT April 2014 same cohort and authors
- Overview Asthma and Vitamin D
- Allergy - Overview
- Huge increase in food allergies in Australia may be due to low vitamin D
- Immune modulation by Vitamin D, food allergy, chart of genes – July 2015
- Food allergy 12X more likely if low vitamin D and vitamin D binding gene problem – Aug 2015
- 11X more non-immigrant children allergic to peanuts if vitamin D less than 20 ng – Feb 2013
All of the studies in Breathing and Intervention (give vitamin D and see what happens) are listed here:
- Chronic tonsillitis virtually eliminated in children by Vitamin D (50,000 IU weekly) – RCT May 2023
- Resulting childhood Asthma cut in half if 4,400 IU Vitamin D daily while pregnant - RCT April 2023
- Several smoking problems treated by Vitamin D (bi-weekly, 50,000 IU) - RCT Dec 2021
- Infant Respiratory Infections not reduced by mothers taking small amount of vitamin D (28,000 weekly)– RCT July 2021
- Asthma and COPD in a few seniors greatly decreased by monthly 100,000 IU Vitamin D – RCT Feb 2021
- Colds substantially reduced by Vitamin D or UV during military training – Jan 2021
- Acute respiratory tract infections not reduced by Vitamin D if already have a good level – Jan 2021
- Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in adults reduced by just 400 IU of vitamin D – RCT Dec 2020
- Those with Asthma or COPD had half the response to Vitamin D – March 2020
- Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Infants reduced 5.9 X by daily 600 IU of vitamin D (China) - March 2020
- Hay Fever treated by Vitamin D (50,000 IU weekly) – RCT July 2019
- COPD trial to use 80,000 IU of vitamin D weekly – RCT 2021
- Allergic Rhinitis in infants treated by 1,000 IU vitamin D daily – June 2019
- Childhood colds reduced 25 percent by weekly Vitamin D – RCT Jan 2019
- All asthma problems reduced after 1 year of Vitamin D – Nov 2017
- Asthma treated by daily 50,000 IU of Vitamin D – April 2018
- Childhood Respiratory Health hardly improved with 600 IU of vitamin D (need much more) – May 2018
- Allergic rhinitis in children reduced somewhat during pollen season by just 1,000 IU of vitamin D – RCT Jan 2018
- Influenza risk reduced 2X by 2,000 IU of Vitamin D (vs 400), RTI reduced 3X by 400 or more IU – July 2017
- Half the risk of Influenza -A in infants taking 1200 IU of vitamin D for 4 months – RCT Jan 2018
- Risk of infant Asthma cut in half if mother supplemented Vitamin D to get more than 30 ng – RCT Oct 2017
- Childhood asthma problems eliminated for months by 600,000 IU of Vitamin D injection – June 2017
- Reduction of infant asthma may require good vitamin D when lung development starts (4 weeks) – March 2017
- Monthly 100,000 IU of vitamin D decreased respiratory infection but increased falls – Nov 2016
- RTI – Feel much better if increase vitamin D level above 40 ng (4000 IU) – RCT Sept 2015
- Five times less mite allergy when vitamin D added in mid pregnancy and to infant – RCT April 2016
- Childhood asthma still reduced 4 months after 800 IU of Vitamin D daily - RCT Feb 2016
- Asthma exacerbations with colds reduced by 40 percent with vitamin D supplementation – Nov 2015
- Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever) reduced by just 1,000 IU of vitamin D for 30 days – RCT Sept 2015
- Vitamin D loading dose then weekly 50,000 IU not help (COPD) if very deficient – Oct 2015
- Respiratory tract infection eliminated in 36 percent of people by 4000 IU of Vitamin D – RCT Sept 2015
- COPD reduced by 40 percent with monthly 100,000 IU of vitamin D – RCT Jan 2015
- 500,000 IU of vitamin D cut in half the hospital days following a lung failure – RCT 2015
- Respiratory infections (RTI) cut in half by 20,000 IU weekly vitamin D if initially deficient – RCT March 2015
- Wheezing reduced 35 percent if vitamin D added during pregnancy – April 2015
- 5 days of 100,000 IU of Vitamin D increased hemoglobin in critical illness – RCT April 2015
- Respiratory diseases helped by vitamin D if initially have low level – RCT review Jan 2015
- COPD reduced by vitamin D taken once every 60 days – RCT Dec 2014
- Asthma reduced 60 percent with vitamin D supplementation – meta-analysis 2014, 2015
- Respiratory Tract Infection visits 2.5 less likely with vitamin D: Pregnancy 2000 IU, Infant 800 IU – RCT Oct 2014
- Allergy to House dust mite greatly reduced by adding just 600 IU of vitamin D – RCT Nov 2014
- Asthma reduced by weekly 50,000 IU of vitamin D – RCT Aug 2014
- Asthma attacks reduced in half if Vitamin D level higher than 42 nanograms – RCT May 2014
- 2000 IU of vitamin D should improve toddlers health in winter – RCT almost completed Feb 2014
- Bronchial Asthma reduced with 60,000 IU monthly vitamin D – RCT Nov 2013
- COPD fought by Vitamin D - many studies
- Respiratory infections reduced by 63 percent with 4000 IU vitamin D daily - RCT Dec 2012
- Just 300 IU daily of vitamin D reduced respiratory infections by 50% – RCT Aug 2012
- Recurrence of child pneumonia delayed by 100000 IU of vitamin D – RCT Oct 2010
- Sepsis is both prevented and treated by Vitamin D - many studies
Infant-Child Intervention trials using Vitamin D:
- Children had a better response to Vitamin D given every 2 weeks than daily – RCT Aug 2024
- Monthly vitamin D dosing better for children than daily (again) - Oct 2023
- Bone fractures of children not reduced if given little vitamin D, no Calcium etc. – RCT May 2023
- Chronic tonsillitis virtually eliminated in children by Vitamin D (50,000 IU weekly) – RCT May 2023
- Infants getting an additional 800 IU of vitamin D for 2 years had 60% fewer psychiatric symptoms at age 7 – RCT May 2023
- Response to infant 2,000 IU Vitamin D daily was in 194 ng, monthly dosing was 20% less – RCT May 2023
- Half of infants had less than 20 ng of Vitamin D with 800 IU (need more) – RCT Sept 2022
- COVID children helped by Vitamin D, trial terminated: unethical to not give Vitamin D to all: – RCT July 2022
- Faster growth in infants getting 1200 IU of Vitamin D – RCT July 2022
- Breastfed Infants need more than an daily average of 800 IU of Vitamin D – RCT June 2022
- 2.4 X fewer lower respiratory track infections in infants getting 400 IU of Vitamin D – May 2022
- Infants have gotten free 400 IU of vitamin D in Turkey since 2005, More for longer would be even better – Feb 2022
- Monthly 120,000 IU of Vitamin D while breastfeeding was good – RCT Jan 2022
- Additional Vitamin D not help – infants previously had 35 ng of vitamin D – RCT Sept 2021
- Supplement preterm infants with vitamin D if less than 80 ng – RCT Sept 2021
- 400 IU of Vitamin D helped breastfed infants, need more – RCT Sept 2021
- Infant Respiratory Infections not reduced by mothers taking small amount of vitamin D (28,000 weekly)– RCT July 2021
- Vitamin D for infants – 100,000 IU monthly is better than 400 IU daily – RCT Oct 2020
- Toddlers with more than 48 ng of vitamin D weighted less and were thinner – RCT Dec 2020
- 6,400 IU of Vitamin D is safe and effective during breastfeeding – RCT Dec, 2020
- Little weight loss in obese children from very small amount of vitamin D (1200 IU) – RCT April 2020
- Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Infants reduced 5.9 X by daily 600 IU of vitamin D (China) - March 2020
- Bones of white children not helped by 1,000 IU of vitamin D (Northern latitudes) – RCT Sept 2018
- Vitamin D levels in children optimized with six Vitamin D biscuits – RCT Nov 2018
- Tic disorder reduced by Vitamin D supplementation – Aug 2019
- Preemie immunity (Treg) vastly improved by 800 IU of Vitamin D daily – RCT July 2019
- Allergic Rhinitis in infants treated by 1,000 IU vitamin D daily – June 2019
- Treatment of neonate sepsis greatly aided by Vitamin D – RCT June 2019
- 400 IU of Vitamin D in food provided virtually no benefit to children - March 2018
- Children need 2000 IU of Vitamin D (India) - RCT May 2019
- Autistic symptoms reduced by Vitamin D and or Omega-3 – RCT March 2019
- Preterm babies have low vitamin D, but recover in 6 weeks with 800 IU supplementation – Jan 2019
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder treated by weekly 50,000 IU of vitamin D – RCT Nov 2018
- Autism problems reduced by Vitamin D, Omega-3 – RCT Oct 2018
- 1200 IU vs 400 IU of vitamin D did not improve bone health or immunity of children who were sufficient – RCT July 2018
- Childhood Respiratory Health hardly improved with 600 IU of vitamin D (need much more) – May 2018
- 430 genes changed when 3,800 IU Vitamin D added in late second trimester – RCT May 2018
- Severe Non-Alcoholic fatty liver disease treated by Omega-3 – RCT April 2018
- 400 IU of Vitamin D provided no benefit to children (not a surprise) – RCT March 2018
- Allergic rhinitis in children reduced somewhat during pollen season by just 1,000 IU of vitamin D – RCT Jan 2018
- Half the risk of Influenza -A in infants taking 1200 IU of vitamin D for 4 months – RCT Jan 2018
- Risk of infant Asthma cut in half if mother supplemented Vitamin D to get more than 30 ng – RCT Oct 2017
- Preemies getting 800 IU of vitamin D were 3X less likely to have low bone density 4 weeks later – RCT Oct 2017
- Preemies need 1,000 IU of vitamin D – RCT Sept 2017
- NAFLD in children nicely treated by combination of Vitamin D and Omega-3 – RCT Dec 2016
- Vitamin D needed to get children to just 20 ng in winter 800 IU white skin, 1100 IU dark (Sweden) – RCT June 2017
- Childhood asthma problems eliminated for months by 600,000 IU of Vitamin D injection – June 2017
- Breastfeeding mothers and Vitamin D: supplement only themselves usually, 4 out of 10 used monthly rather than daily – Jan 2017
- Premature infants (30 weeks) who got 800-1000 IU of vitamin D were much healthier – March 2017
- Newborn Vitamin D - single 50,000 IU is better than daily – RCT Sept 2016
Background
Vitamin D has immune modulating effects. We determined whether vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and infancy prevents aeroallergen sensitisation and primary care respiratory illness presentations.
Methods: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial. We assigned pregnant women, from 27 weeks gestation to birth, and then their infants, from birth to six months, to placebo or one of two dosages of daily oral vitamin D. Woman/infant pairs were randomised to: placebo/placebo, 1000IU/400IU, or 2000IU/800IU.
When the children were 18 months old we measured specific serum IgE antibodies and identified acute primary care visits described by the doctor to be due to a cold, otitis media, an upper respiratory infection, croup, asthma, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, a wheezy lower respiratory infection or fever and cough.
Results: Specific IgE was measured on 185/260 (71%) enrolled children.
The proportion of children sensitised differed by study group for four mite antigens: Dermatophagoides farinae (Der-f1, Der-f2) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der-p1, Der-p2). With results presented for placebo, lower-dose, and higher-dose vitamin D, respectively (all P<0·05): Der-f1 (18%, 10%, 2%), Der-f2 (14%, 3%, 2%), Der-p1 (19%, 14%, 3%), and Der-p2 (12%, 2%, 3%).
There were study group differences in the proportion of children with primary care visits described by the doctor as being for asthma (11%, 0%, 4%, P=0·002), but not for the other respiratory diagnoses.
Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and infancy reduces the proportion of children sensitised to mites at age 18 months. Preliminary data indicate a possible effect on primary care visits where asthma is diagnosed.
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Includes a very impressive chart of the data