Maria M Papamichael
La Trobe University, Australia
Title: The synergistic effect of vitamin D in pediatric asthma
Biography
Biography: Maria M Papamichael
Abstract
Statement of Problem: Vitamin D deficiency and asthma prevalence in children are an emerging public health problem. Vitamin D has been demonstrated to possess potent immunomodulatory effects, including effects on T and B cells and increasing production of antimicrobial peptides that could lead to asthma specific beneficial effects. We sought to examine the effect of plasma vitamin D status in asthmatic children consuming a Mediterranean diet enriched with fatty fish.
Methodology: This study is a single-centred randomized controlled trial of six months duration. Asthmatic children, 5-12 years old (51.6% male), attending a pediatric asthma clinic in the greater city of Athens, Greece were randomized into intervention versus control groups. The intervention group was instructed to follow the Greek Mediterranean dietary pattern and to include two meals of fatty fish weekly (≥ 150 g filleted cooked fish/meal) for a period of six months. In comparison, the control group, their usual diet. Asthma status was measured using spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide analysis (eNO). Enzyme-linked immuno assay was used to determine serum vitamin D concentrations with vitamin D sufficiency defined as plasma 25-0H D ≥ 25 ng/mL.
Findings: Multiple linear regression model revealed that FEV1/FVC increased by 4.89 units (β=4.89; 95% CI: 1.19-8.61; p=0.013) and FEF25-75% by 12.83 units (β=12.83; 95CI: 4.27-21.40; p=0.006) in the intervention group with sufficient plasma vitamin D levels at baseline as compared to the control group after adjusting for confounders of age, sex, regular physical activity and BMI. No associations were observed for children deficient in plasma vitamin D or for eNO.
Conclusion & Significance: These findings suggest a synergistic effect of plasma vitamin D on pulmonary function in asthmatic children consuming a Mediterranean diet enriched with fatty fish. Normalization of vitamin D status in asthmatic children could alleviate symptoms and reduce asthma burden.