A world-first study has found a clear association between vitamin D deficiency in young children and development of asthma

Researchers at the WA-based Telethon Kids Institute recruited 267 children at high risk for asthma and allergy and followed them from birth until the ages of five and 10.

At birth, the majority of participants had Vitamin D concentrations of less than 50 nmol/L, which is commonly classed as vitamin deficiency. Between the ages six months and four years, the majority also had concentrations indicative of insufficiency, with levels improving from the age of five onwards.

Analysis found that repeated bouts of vitamin D deficiency in early childhood were associated with increased risk for asthma, wheeze, eczema and sensitisation at 10 years.

Lead author Dr Elysia Hollams says the findings shed new light on the potential association.

Dr Hollams says earlier research has identified the first two years of childhood as a critical time during which allergies and chest infections could combine to drive asthma development in sensitive children.

Source: Sheshtyn Paola, AJP, 2 November 2016, https://ajp.com.au/news/vit-d-deficiency-linked-childhood-asthma/