Srimathi Kannan1, Matthew S Perzanowski2, Harish B Ganguri3, Dolores Acevedo-Garcia4, Luis M Acosta2, Molly Spatcher5, Adnan Divjan2, Ginger L Chew2. 1. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts; Department of Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois. Electronic address: srimathik@gmail.com. 2. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York. 3. Department of Computer Science, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois; Kronsys, Inc, Raleigh, North Carolina. 4. The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. 5. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts; Eye and Lasik Center, Greenfield, Massachusetts.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the United States, Puerto Ricans have a higher prevalence of asthma than other Latino ethnicities. Low vitamin D levels for children living in northern climates could be a factor. OBJECTIVE: To assess serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] distributions (a marker of vitamin D) and associations among vitamin D, allergic sensitization, early wheeze, and home/demographic factors. METHODS: Puerto Rican infants born in New York City, with a maternal history of atopy, were enrolled in a birth cohort. Blood was collected at age 2 years (n = 154; 82 males and 72 females). Serum 25(OH)D and immunoglobulin E (IgE) (indoor allergen-specific and total) were determined using immunoassays. Home/demographic characteristics and respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: The median concentration of 25(OH)D was 22.6 ng/mL; 32% were at risk of deficiency or inadequacy (<12 or 12-19 ng/mL). Serum 25(OH)D levels were lower in the heating (a surrogate for less sun exposure in colder months) compared with nonheating (26.1 vs 22.7 ng/mL, P = .02) season, but were not associated with allergen-specific IgE levels or with level of acculturation (measured by maternal birthplace). However, low 25(OH)D levels (below median) were associated with high total IgE >100 IU/mL (P = .01). Also, 25(OH)D concentrations differed between children who attended daycare and those who did not (21.8 vs 24.5 ng/mL; t test, P = .02). Serum 25(OH)D was not associated with wheeze or asthma by 2 years of age (P = .43). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency, possibly linked with allergic pathways, may partially explain the trajectory for disproportionate asthma burden among Puerto Ricans, especially those born and raised in colder climates.
BACKGROUND: In the United States, Puerto Ricans have a higher prevalence of asthma than other Latino ethnicities. Low vitamin D levels for children living in northern climates could be a factor. OBJECTIVE: To assess serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] distributions (a marker of vitamin D) and associations among vitamin D, allergic sensitization, early wheeze, and home/demographic factors. METHODS: Puerto Rican infants born in New York City, with a maternal history of atopy, were enrolled in a birth cohort. Blood was collected at age 2 years (n = 154; 82 males and 72 females). Serum 25(OH)D and immunoglobulin E (IgE) (indoor allergen-specific and total) were determined using immunoassays. Home/demographic characteristics and respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire. RESULTS: The median concentration of 25(OH)D was 22.6 ng/mL; 32% were at risk of deficiency or inadequacy (<12 or 12-19 ng/mL). Serum 25(OH)D levels were lower in the heating (a surrogate for less sun exposure in colder months) compared with nonheating (26.1 vs 22.7 ng/mL, P = .02) season, but were not associated with allergen-specific IgE levels or with level of acculturation (measured by maternal birthplace). However, low 25(OH)D levels (below median) were associated with high total IgE >100 IU/mL (P = .01). Also, 25(OH)D concentrations differed between children who attended daycare and those who did not (21.8 vs 24.5 ng/mL; t test, P = .02). Serum 25(OH)D was not associated with wheeze or asthma by 2 years of age (P = .43). CONCLUSION:Vitamin Ddeficiency, possibly linked with allergic pathways, may partially explain the trajectory for disproportionate asthma burden among Puerto Ricans, especially those born and raised in colder climates.
Authors: Elisabet Johansson; Jocelyn M Biagini; Lisa J Martin; Hua He; John W Kroner; Cassandra Almasri; Veronica Velasquez; Maud Sonzogni; Stanley B DeVore; Daniel Spagna; Brittany Grashel; Gurjit K Khurana Hershey Journal: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol Date: 2022-01-23 Impact factor: 6.248