Maternal and newborn vitamin D status and its impact on food allergy development in the German LINA cohort study
Allergy 2012; 68:220–228; DOI: 10.1111/all.12081.
K. Weisse 1, S. Winkler 1,2, F. Hirche 2, G. Herberth 1, D. Hinz 1, M. Bauer 1, S. Röder 3, U. Rolle-Kampczyk 4, M. von Bergen 4, S. Olek 5, U. Sack 6, T. Richter 7, U. Diez 7, M. Borte 7, G. I. Stangl 2, I. Lehmann 1,3, irina.lehmann at ufz.de
1 Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig
2 Institute for Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale)
3 Core Facility Studies, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig
4 Department of Metabolomics, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig
5 Ivana Tuerbachova Laboratory for Epigenetics, Epiontis GmbH, Berlin
6 Medical Faculty, Institute for Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig
7 Children's Hospital, Municipal Hospital “St. Georg”, Leipzig, Germany
Background
Vitamin D levels are known to be associated with atopic disease development; however, existing data are controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate whether corresponding maternal and cord blood vitamin D levels are associated with atopic outcomes in early infancy.
Methods
Within the LINA cohort study (Lifestyle and environmental factors and their Influence on Newborns Allergy risk), 25(OH)D was measured in blood samples of 378 mother–child pairs during pregnancy and at birth. Information about children's atopic manifestations during the first 2 years of life was obtained from questionnaires filled out by the parents during pregnancy and annually thereafter. Cord blood regulatory T cells (Treg) were detected by methylation-specific PCR using a Treg-specific demethylated region in the FOXP3 gene.
Results
The median maternal 25(OH)D3 level was 22.19 ng/ml (IQR 14.40–31.19 ng/ml); the median cord blood 25(OH)D3 10.95 ng/ml (6.99–17.39 ng/ml). A high correlation was seen between maternal and cord blood 25(OH)D3 levels, both showing a seasonal distribution. Maternal and cord blood 25(OH)D3 was positively associated with children's risk for food allergy within the first 2 years. Further, higher maternal 25(OH)D3 resulted in a higher risk for sensitization against food allergens at the age of two. Cord blood 25(OH)D3 levels were negatively correlated with regulatory T cell numbers.
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates that high vitamin D levels in pregnancy and at birth may contribute to a higher risk for food allergy and therefore argues against vitamin D supplement to protect against allergy.
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd
- Low vitamin D ==> food allergies
- High vitamin D ==> food allergies
See also VitaminDWiki
- Too much vitamin D: 1 pcnt increase in infants with food allergy, too little: 500 pcnt increase in children with food allergy - Aug 2015
- Adolescent allergies associated with low vitamin D levels Low vitamin D ==> food allergies
- Kids with more vitamin D less likely to get some allergies file, Low vitamin D ==> food allergies
- Cresendo of papers on Asthma, Allergy, and Vitamin D – Sept 2011 Low vitamin D ==> food allergies
- 30 to 40 ng of vitamin D associated with the least peanut allergy – Nov 2012 Low vitamin D ==> food allergies
- Is Vitamin D Supplementation Responsible for the Allergy Pandemic? – May 2012 a possible circumstance
Author speculates that low vitamin D during pregnancy sets up an expectation in the infant body for low vitamin D environment
– which is upset by getting vitamin D. This would not occur if there were enough vitamin D during pregnancy) - Vitamin D and allergy to common mold - Aug 2010
- Research concludes vitamin D may treat or prevent allergy to common mold
- Many new reasons why vitamin D deficiency is becoming epidemic
See also web
- Too Much Vitamin D During Pregnancy Can Cause Food Allergies, Research Suggests Science Daily report on this study
- Medical News Today report on the study
- Food Navigaort report on this study
appears: More vitamin D ==> fewer T-reg cells ==> less prepared for allergins - Cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and allergic disease during infancy. Pediatrics,. 2012 Nov, Low vitamin D ==> food allergies
Vitamin D concentration in newborn cord blood is correlated with maternal intake of supplemental vitamin D, and lower levels are associated with increased risk of the infant developing eczema Evidence Based Nursing, comment on Pediactics article. Have asked author to state his belief/concern - Food allergy, a tale of two studies Vitamin D Council - behind a $5 paywall, April 2013
Opposite conclusions:
German study (above) with 11 ng/ml newborns
Australian study with 30 ng/ml 1 year olds (in VitaminDWiki - with graphics)