Atopic heredity modifies the association between maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy and the risk of atopic disease in childhood: an observational study

• Published in: Nutrition journal 2022-05, Vol.21 (1), p.32-32, Article 32
• Main Authors: Amberntsson, Anna, Carlson Kjellberg, Ellinor, van Odijk, Jenny, Mikkelsen, Andrea, Bärebring, Linnea, Augustin, Hanna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D; Age; Alfacalcidol; Allergens; Allergies; Asthma; Atopic dermatitis; Atopic disease; Atopy; Birth weight; Calcifediol; Childhood; Children; Children & youth; Clinical trials; Consent; d deficiency; Data collection; Demographic aspects; dermatitis; Developmental; Developmental origins of health and disease; Diet; Dietary intake; Eczema; Education; Ethnicity; Food; Food allergies; Food and nutrition; Genetic aspects; Laboratories; Medical records; Mothers; Neonatal outcomes; Newborn babies; Nutrition & Dietetics; Nutrition and Dietetics; Näringslära; Observational studies; Offspring; origins of health and disease; Pediatric research; Pregnancy; Pregnant women; Questionnaires; Risk factors; Skin diseases; supplementation; Vagina; Vitamin D; Womens health
• ISSN: 1475-2891; 1475-2891
• DOI: 10.1186/s12937-022-00787-9

The relationship between maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy and the development of atopic diseases in the offspring has been frequently studied, but with contradictory results. Previous studies have found an inverse relation between maternal vitamin D in pregnancy and the risk of atopic diseases in the child. In contrast, others have found a higher maternal 25OHD to be related to a higher risk of atopic diseases. Thus, the aim was to investigate the associations between maternal vitamin D status and intake in pregnancy with asthma, eczema and food allergies in the children up to 5 years. In addition, effect modification by reported atopic heredity was studied. Participants in the GraviD study had 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) analyzed in serum in early (T1) and late (T3) pregnancy. Maternal dietary vitamin D intake was estimated from a short food frequency questionnaire and supplement use by questionnaires. At 5 years of age the child´s history of asthma, eczema and food allergy, including atopic heredity, was reported by questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used. The cumulative incidence of asthma was 13%, eczema 22%, and food allergy 18%. Only among children without reported atopic heredity, maternal 25OHD of 50-75 nmol/L in T1 was associated with lower odds of asthma (OR 0.271, 95% CI 0.127-0.580), compared to maternal 25OHD > 75 nmol/L. Additionally in these children, maternal 25OHD in T3 (continuous) was associated with asthma (OR 1.014, 95% CI 1.002-1.009), and dietary vitamin D intake with eczema (OR 1.141, 95% CI 1.011-1.288). Among children without reported atopic heredity, higher maternal vitamin D status and intake during pregnancy was associated with increased risk of reported atopic disease.