Abstract
The prevalence of asthma and allergic disease continues to increase throughout the world, but particularly in westernized countries and countries that are rapidly transitioning to a westernized way of living. Since vitamin D deficiency has become prevalent, vitamin D likely has a role to play in the rise in prevalence of these disorders. However, there are two countervailing hypotheses regarding this role. The first hypothesis is that introduction of fortification of foods with vitamin D contributed to the allergy epidemic, due to the timing of this widespread fortification relative to the recognition of the asthma and allergy epidemic. However, given the documented deficiency in circulating vitamin D in various populations despite the fortification of foods, and the development of technologies that have made it more attractive for humans to spend more time indoors, the other hypothesis takes the opposite view that it is vitamin D deficiency that has made populations susceptible to the development of these disorders. This chapter will review the epidemiology of asthma and allergies, the epidemiology of vitamin D deficiency, the potential mechanisms by which vitamin D affects asthma and allergy risk, and the studies that have been performed to investigate the role of vitamin D. Finally, the chapter concludes with some recommendations for future studies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Seaton A, Godden DJ, Brown K. Increase in asthma: a more toxic environment or a more susceptible population? Thorax. 1994;49(2):171–4.
Devereux G, Seaton A. Diet as a risk factor for atopy and asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005;115(6):1109–17.
Masoli M, Fabian D, Holt S, Beasley R. The global burden of asthma: executive summary of the GINA Dissemination Committee report. Allergy. 2004;59(5):469–78.
Mannino DM, Homa DM, Akinbami LJ, Moorman JE, Gwynn C, Redd SC. Surveillance for asthma—United States, 1980–1999. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2002;51(1):1–13.
Devereux G. The increase in allergic disease: environment and susceptibility. Proceedings of a symposium held at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 4th June 2002. Clin Exp Allergy. 2003;33(3):394–406.
(CDC) CfDCaP. Vital signs: asthma prevalence, disease characteristics, and self-management education: United States, 2001–2009. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011;60(17):547–52.
Moorman JE, Zahran H, Truman BI, Molla MT. Current asthma prevalence—United States, 2006–2008. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2011;60 Suppl 17:84–6.
Barnett SB, Nurmagambetov TA. Costs of asthma in the United States: 2002–2007. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;127(1):145–52.
Sullivan PW, Ghushchyan VH, Slejko JF, Belozeroff V, Globe DR, Lin SL. The burden of adult asthma in the United States: evidence from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;127(2):363–9. e1-3.
Flohr C. Recent perspectives on the global epidemiology of childhood eczema. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2011;39(3):174–82.
Williams H, Stewart A, von Mutius E, Cookson W, Anderson HR. Is eczema really on the increase worldwide? J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008;121(4):947–54. e15.
Bjorksten B, Clayton T, Ellwood P, Stewart A, Strachan D. Worldwide time trends for symptoms of rhinitis and conjunctivitis: Phase III of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2008;19(2):110–24.
Gergen PJ, Arbes Jr SJ, Calatroni A, Mitchell HE, Zeldin DC. Total IgE levels and asthma prevalence in the US population: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2006. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;124(3):447–53.
Ellis CN, Drake LA, Prendergast MM, et al. Cost of atopic dermatitis and eczema in the United States. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002;46(3):361–70.
Malone DC, Lawson KA, Smith DH, Arrighi HM, Battista C. A cost of illness study of allergic rhinitis in the United States. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997;99(1 Pt 1):22–7.
Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(3):266–81.
Allgrove J. Is nutritional rickets returning? Arch Dis Child. 2004;89(8):699–701.
Wagner CL, Greer FR. Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2008;122(5):1142–52.
Lamberg-Allardt C. Vitamin D in foods and as supplements. Prog Biophys Mol Biol. 2006;92(1):33–8.
Lu Z, Chen TC, Zhang A, et al. An evaluation of the vitamin D3 content in fish: is the vitamin D content adequate to satisfy the dietary requirement for vitamin D? J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2007;103(3–5):642–4.
Sahota H, Barnett H, Lesosky M, Raboud JM, Vieth R, Knight JA. Association of vitamin D related information from a telephone interview with 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008;17(1):232–8.
van der Mei IA, Blizzard L, Ponsonby AL, Dwyer T. Validity and reliability of adult recall of past sun exposure in a case-control study of multiple sclerosis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2006;15(8):1538–44.
Webb AR. Who, what, where and when—influences on cutaneous vitamin D synthesis. Prog Biophys Mol Biol. 2006;92(1):17–25.
Wang TJ, Zhang F, Richards JB, et al. Common genetic determinants of vitamin D insufficiency: a genome-wide association study. Lancet. 2010;376(9736):180–8.
Vieth R, Bischoff-Ferrari H, Boucher BJ, et al. The urgent need to recommend an intake of vitamin D that is effective. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85(3):649–50.
Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Giovannucci E, Willett WC, Dietrich T, Dawson-Hughes B. Estimation of optimal serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D for multiple health outcomes. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;84(1):18–28.
Hollis BW, Wagner CL, Drezner MK, Binkley NC. Circulating vitamin D(3) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in humans: an important tool to define adequate nutritional vitamin D status. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2007;103:631–4.
Ross AC, Taylor CL, Yaktine AL, Del Valle HB, editors. Dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D. Washington: National Academies Press; 2010.
Heaney RP, Holick MF. Why the IOM recommendations for vitamin D are deficient. J Bone Miner Res. 2011;26(3):455–7.
Vieth R. Why the minimum desirable serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level should be 75 nmol/L (30 ng/ml). Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011;25(4):681–91.
Holick MF. High prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy and implications for health. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006;81(3):353–73.
Nesby-O’Dell S, Scanlon KS, Cogswell ME, et al. Hypovitaminosis D prevalence and determinants among African American and white women of reproductive age: third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002;76(1):187–92.
Kimlin M, Harrison S, Nowak M, Moore M, Brodie A, Lang C. Does a high UV environment ensure adequate vitamin D status? J Photochem Photobiol B. 2007;89(2–3):139–47.
Binkley N, Novotny R, Krueger D, et al. Low vitamin D status despite abundant sun exposure. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92(6):2130–5.
US Environmental Protection Agency. Report to congress on indoor air quality, vol. II: Assessment and control of indoor air pollution. Report No. EPA 400-1-89-001C. Washington, DC: EPA; 1989.
Ginde AA, Liu MC, Camargo Jr CA. Demographic differences and trends of vitamin D insufficiency in the US population, 1988–2004. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(6):626–32.
Rappaport BZ, Reed CE. Viosterol of high potency in seasonal hay fever and related conditions. JAMA. 1933;101(2):105–9.
Rappaport BZ, Reed CI, Hathaway ML, Struck HC. The treatment of hay fever and asthma with viosterol of high potency. J Allergy. 1934;5(6):541–53.
Canon P. The therapy of nasal allergy; results obtained by high dose vitamin D therapy and calcium. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Belg. 1951;5(6):495–508.
Jakso G. Studies on the anti-allergic effects of vitamin D2. Borgyogy Venerol Sz. 1950;4(7):223–5.
Slovik DM, Neer RM, Ohman JL, et al. Parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in glucocorticoid-treated patients. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1980;12(3):243–8.
Utz G, Hauck AM. Oral application of calcium and vitamin D2 in allergic bronchial asthma (author’s transl). MMW Munch Med Wochenschr. 1976;118(43):1395–8.
Weicksel. Antiallergic action of vigantol. Z Tuberk. 1950;95(34):141–6.
Wjst M, Dold S. Genes, factor X, and allergens: what causes allergic diseases? Allergy. 1999;54(7):757–9.
Rajakumar K. Vitamin D, cod-liver oil, sunlight, and rickets: a historical perspective. Pediatrics. 2003;112(2):e132–5.
USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 24 [database on the Internet], 2012. http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/674. Accessed March 26, 2012.
Althouse AD, Turnquist CH, Bracciano AF. Modern refrigeration and air conditioning. 18th ed. Tinley Park: Goodheart-Willcox Co; 2003.
Magoun AB. Television: the life story of a technology. Westport: Greenwood Press; 2007.
Litonjua AA, Weiss ST. Is vitamin D deficiency to blame for the asthma epidemic? J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;120(5):1031–5.
Raby BA, Lazarus R, Silverman EK, et al. Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with childhood and adult asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004;170(10):1057–65.
Poon AH, Laprise C, Lemire M, et al. Association of vitamin D receptor genetic variants with susceptibility to asthma and atopy. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2004;170(9):967–73.
Saadi A, Gao G, Li H, Wei C, Gong Y, Liu Q. Association study between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and asthma in the Chinese Han population: a case-control study. BMC Med Genet. 2009;10:71.
Vollmert C, Illig T, Altmuller J, et al. Single nucleotide polymorphism screening and association analysis—exclusion of integrin beta 7 and vitamin D receptor (chromosome 12q) as candidate genes for asthma. Clin Exp Allergy. 2004;34(12):1841–50.
Wjst M. Variants in the vitamin D receptor gene and asthma. BMC Genet. 2005;6(1):2.
Wjst M, Altmuller J, Faus-Kessler T, Braig C, Bahnweg M, Andre E. Asthma families show transmission disequilibrium of gene variants in the vitamin D metabolism and signalling pathway. Respir Res. 2006;7:60.
Wittke A, Weaver V, Mahon BD, August A, Cantorna MT. Vitamin D receptor-deficient mice fail to develop experimental allergic asthma. J Immunol. 2004;173(5):3432–6.
Wittke A, Chang A, Froicu M, et al. Vitamin D receptor expression by the lung micro-environment is required for maximal induction of lung inflammation. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2007;460(2):306–13.
Bosse Y, Maghni K, Hudson TJ. 1alpha,25-Dihydroxy-vitamin D3 stimulation of bronchial smooth muscle cells induces autocrine, contractility, and remodeling processes. Physiol Genomics. 2007;29(2):161–8.
Haussler MR, Haussler CA, Bartik L, et al. Vitamin D receptor: molecular signaling and actions of nutritional ligands in disease prevention. Nutr Rev. 2008;66(10 Suppl 2):S98–112.
Dusso AS, Brown AJ, Slatopolsky E. Vitamin D. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2005;289(1):F8–28.
Strachan DP. Family size, infection and atopy: the first decade of the “hygiene hypothesis”. Thorax. 2000;55:S2–10.
Ramsey CD, Celedon JC. The hygiene hypothesis and asthma. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2005;11(1): 14–20.
Jackson DJ, Gangnon RE, Evans MD, et al. Wheezing rhinovirus illnesses in early life predict asthma development in high-risk children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2008;178(7):667–72.
Corne JM, Marshall C, Smith S, et al. Frequency, severity, and duration of rhinovirus infections in asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals: a longitudinal cohort study. Lancet. 2002;359(9309):831–4.
Liu PT, Stenger S, Tang DH, Modlin RL. Cutting edge: vitamin D-mediated human antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is dependent on the induction of cathelicidin. J Immunol. 2007;179(4):2060–3.
Grant WB. Hypothesis—ultraviolet-B irradiance and vitamin D reduce the risk of viral infections and thus their sequelae, including autoimmune diseases and some cancers. Photochem Photobiol. 2008;84(2):356–65.
Herr C, Shaykhiev R, Bals R. The role of cathelicidin and defensins in pulmonary inflammatory diseases. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2007;7(9):1449–61.
Urashima M, Segawa T, Okazaki M, Kurihara M, Wada Y, Ida H. Randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(5):1255–60.
Majak P, Olszowiec-Chlebna M, Smejda K, Stelmach I. Vitamin D supplementation in children may prevent asthma exacerbation triggered by acute respiratory infection. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;127(5):1294–6.
Dickson I. New approaches to vitamin D. Nature. 1987;325(6099):18.
Minghetti PP, Norman AW. 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 receptors: gene regulation and genetic circuitry. FASEB J. 1988;2(15):3043–53.
Akeno N, Saikatsu S, Kawane T, Horiuchi N. Mouse vitamin D-24-hydroxylase: molecular cloning, tissue distribution, and transcriptional regulation by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Endocrinology. 1997;138(6):2233–40.
Mahon BD, Wittke A, Weaver V, Cantorna MT. The targets of vitamin D depend on the differentiation and activation status of CD4 positive T cells. J Cell Biochem. 2003;89(5):922–32.
Heine G, Anton K, Henz BM, Worm M. 1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits anti-CD40 plus IL-4-mediated IgE production in vitro. Eur J Immunol. 2002;32(12):3395–404.
Adorini L, Penna G, Giarratana N, et al. Dendritic cells as key targets for immunomodulation by Vitamin D receptor ligands. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2004;89–90(1–5):437–41.
Cantorna MT, Zhu Y, Froicu M, Wittke A. Vitamin D status, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and the immune system. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;80(6 Suppl):1717S–20.
Matheu V, Back O, Mondoc E, Issazadeh-Navikas S. Dual effects of vitamin D-induced alteration of TH1/TH2 cytokine expression: enhancing IgE production and decreasing airway eosinophilia in murine allergic airway disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003;112(3):585–92.
Iho S, Kura F, Sugiyama H, Takahashi T, Hoshino T. The role of monocytes in the suppression of PHA-induced proliferation and IL 2 production of human mononuclear cells by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Immunol Lett. 1985;11(5–6):331–6.
Reichel H, Koeffler HP, Tobler A, Norman AW. 1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits gamma-interferon synthesis by normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1987;84(10):3385–9.
Boonstra A, Barrat FJ, Crain C, Heath VL, Savelkoul HF, O’Garra A. 1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin d3 has a direct effect on naive CD4(+) T cells to enhance the development of Th2 cells. J Immunol. 2001;167(9):4974–80.
Cantorna MT, Woodward WD, Hayes CE, DeLuca HF. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 is a positive regulator for the two anti-encephalitogenic cytokines TGF-beta 1 and IL-4. J Immunol. 1998;160(11):5314–9.
Topilski I, Flaishon L, Naveh Y, Harmelin A, Levo Y, Shachar I. The anti-inflammatory effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on Th2 cells in vivo are due in part to the control of integrin-mediated T lymphocyte homing. Eur J Immunol. 2004;34(4):1068–76.
McGlade JP, Gorman S, Zosky GR, et al. Suppression of the asthmatic phenotype by ultraviolet B-induced, antigen-specific regulatory cells. Clin Exp Allergy. 2007;37(9):1267–76.
Pichler J, Gerstmayr M, Szepfalusi Z, Urbanek R, Peterlik M, Willheim M. 1Alpha,25(OH)2D3 inhibits not only Th1 but also Th2 differentiation in human cord blood T cells. Pediatr Res. 2002;52(1):12–8.
Annesi-Maesano I. Perinatal events, vitamin D, and the development of allergy. Pediatr Res. 2002;52(1):3–5.
Gregori S, Casorati M, Amuchastegui S, Smiroldo S, Davalli AM, Adorini L. Regulatory T cells induced by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and mycophenolate mofetil treatment mediate transplantation tolerance. J Immunol. 2001;167(4):1945–53.
Gregori S, Giarratana N, Smiroldo S, Uskokovic M, Adorini L. A 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) analog enhances regulatory T-cells and arrests autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. Diabetes. 2002;51(5):1367–74.
Meehan MA, Kerman RH, Lemire JM. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhances the generation of nonspecific suppressor cells while inhibiting the induction of cytotoxic cells in a human MLR. Cell Immunol. 1992;140(2):400–9.
Schwartz RH. Natural regulatory T cells and self-tolerance. Nat Immunol. 2005;6(4):327–30.
Chatenoud L, Salomon B, Bluestone JA. Suppressor T cells—they’re back and critical for regulation of autoimmunity! Immunol Rev. 2001;182:149–63.
Griffin MD, Xing N, Kumar R. Vitamin D and its analogs as regulators of immune activation and antigen presentation. Annu Rev Nutr. 2003;23:117–45.
D’Ambrosio D, Cippitelli M, Cocciolo MG, et al. Inhibition of IL-12 production by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Involvement of NF-kappaB downregulation in transcriptional repression of the p40 gene. J Clin Invest. 1998;101(1):252–62.
Xing N, Maldonado ML, Bachman LA, McKean DJ, Kumar R, Griffin MD. Distinctive dendritic cell modulation by vitamin D(3) and glucocorticoid pathways. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2002;297(3):645–52.
Yu XP, Bellido T, Manolagas SC. Down-regulation of NF-kappa B protein levels in activated human lymphocytes by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1995;92(24):10990–4 [Erratum in: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1996 January 9;93(1):524].
Cippitelli M, Santoni A. Vitamin D3: a transcriptional modulator of the interferon-gamma gene. Eur J Immunol. 1998;28(10):3017–30.
Xystrakis E, Kusumakar S, Boswell S, et al. Reversing the defective induction of IL-10-secreting regulatory T cells in glucocorticoid-resistant asthma patients. J Clin Invest. 2006;116(1):146–55.
Banerjee A, Damera G, Bhandare R, et al. Vitamin D and glucocorticoids differentially modulate chemokine expression in human airway smooth muscle cells. Br J Pharmacol. 2008;155(1):84–92.
Taher YA, van Esch BC, Hofman GA, Henricks PA, van Oosterhout AJ. 1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 potentiates the beneficial effects of allergen immunotherapy in a mouse model of allergic asthma: role for IL-10 and TGF-beta. J Immunol. 2008;180(8):5211–21.
Chi A, Wildfire J, McLoughlin R, et al. Umbilical cord plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and immune function at birth: the Urban Environment and Childhood Asthma study. Clin Exp Allergy. 2011;41(6):842–50.
Burri PH. Fetal and postnatal development of the lung. Annu Rev Physiol. 1984;46:617–28.
Marin L, Dufour ME, Nguyen TM, Tordet C, Garabedian M. Maturational changes induced by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in type II cells from fetal rat lung explants. Am J Physiol. 1993;265(1 Pt 1):L45–52.
Marin L, Dufour ME, Tordet C, Nguyen M. 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulates phospholipid biosynthesis and surfactant release in fetal rat lung explants. Biol Neonate. 1990;57(3–4):257–60.
Nguyen M, Trubert CL, Rizk-Rabin M, et al. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and fetal lung maturation: immunogold detection of VDR expression in pneumocytes type II cells and effect on fructose 1,6 bisphosphatase. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2004;89–90(1–5):93–7.
Nguyen TM, Guillozo H, Marin L, Tordet C, Koite S, Garabedian M. Evidence for a vitamin D paracrine system regulating maturation of developing rat lung epithelium. Am J Physiol. 1996;271(3 Pt 1):L392–9.
Nguyen M, Guillozo H, Garabedian M, Balsan S. Lung as a possible additional target organ for vitamin D during fetal life in the rat. Biol Neonate. 1987;52(4):232–40.
Rehan VK, Torday JS, Peleg S, et al. 1alpha,25-Dihydroxy-3-epi-vitamin D3, a natural metabolite of 1alpha,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3: production and biological activity studies in pulmonary alveolar type II cells. Mol Genet Metab. 2002;76(1):46–56.
Phokela SS, Peleg S, Moya FR, Alcorn JL. Regulation of human pulmonary surfactant protein gene expression by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2005;289(4):L617–26.
Gaultier C, Harf A, Balmain N, Cuisinier-Gleizes P, Mathieu H. Lung mechanics in rachitic rats. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1984;130(6):1108–10.
Zosky GR, Berry LJ, Elliot JG, James AL, Gorman S, Hart PH. Vitamin D deficiency causes deficits in lung function and alters lung structure. Am J Resp Crit Care Med. 2011;183(10):1336–43.
Brun P, Dupret JM, Perret C, Thomasset M, Mathieu H. Vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding proteins (CaBPs) in human fetuses: comparative distribution of 9K CaBP mRNA and 28K CaBP during development. Pediatr Res. 1987;21(4):362–7.
Lunghi B, Meacci E, Stio M, et al. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits proliferation of IMR-90 human fibroblasts and stimulates pyruvate kinase activity in confluent-phase cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 1995;115(2):141–8.
Stio M, Celli A, Lunghi B, Raugei G, Modesti A, Treves C. Vitamin D receptor in IMR-90 human fibroblasts and antiproliferative effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1997;43(6):1173–81.
Stio M, Lunghi B, Celli A, Nassi P, Treves C. Effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on proliferation in senescent IMR-90 human fibroblasts. Mech Ageing Dev. 1996;91(1):23–36.
Black PN, Scragg R. Relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and pulmonary function in the third national health and nutrition examination survey. Chest. 2005;128(6):3792–8.
Damera G, Fogle H, Lim P, et al. Vitamin D inhibits growth of human airway smooth muscle cells through growth factor-induced phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and checkpoint kinase 1. Br J Pharmacol. 2009;158:1429–41.
Gupta A, Sjoukes A, Richards D, et al. Relationship between serum vitamin D, disease severity and airway remodeling in children with asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011;84(12):1342–9.
Litonjua AA. Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for childhood allergic disease and asthma. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012.
Krstic G. Asthma prevalence associated with geographical latitude and regional insolation in the United States of America and Australia. PLoS One. 2011;6(4):e18492.
Hughes AM, Lucas RM, Ponsonby AL, et al. The role of latitude, ultraviolet radiation exposure and vitamin D in childhood asthma and hayfever: an Australian multicenter study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2011;22(3):327–33.
Arnedo-Pena A, Garcia-Marcos L, Fernandez-Espinar JF, et al. Sunny hours and variations in the prevalence of asthma in schoolchildren according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies (ISAAC) Phase III in Spain. Int J Biometeorol. 2011;55(3):423–34.
Devereux G, Litonjua AA, Turner S, et al. Maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy and early childhood wheezing. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85:853–9.
Camargo JCA, Rifas-Shiman SL, Litonjua AA, et al. Maternal intake of vitamin D during pregnancy and risk of recurrent wheeze in children at age 3 years. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85:788–95.
Erkkola M, Kaila M, Nwaru BI, et al. Maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy is inversely associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis in 5-year-old children. Clin Exp Allergy. 2009;39(6):875–82.
Miyake Y, Sasaki S, Tanaka K, Hirota Y. Dairy food, calcium and vitamin D intake in pregnancy, and wheeze and eczema in infants. Eur Respir J. 2010;35(6):1228–34.
Gale CR, Robinson SM, Harvey NC, et al. Maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy and child outcomes. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007;62:68–77.
Morales E, Romieu I, Guerra S, et al. Maternal vitamin D Status in pregnancy and risk of lower respiratory tract infections, wheezing, and asthma in offspring. Epidemiology. 2012;23(1):64–71.
Camargo Jr CA, Ingham T, Wickens K, et al. Cord-blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of respiratory infection, wheezing, and asthma. Pediatrics. 2011;127(1):e180–7.
Rothers J, Wright AL, Stern DA, Halonen M, Camargo Jr CA. Cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with aeroallergen sensitization in children from Tucson, Arizona. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;128(5):1093–9. e5.
Sidbury R, Sullivan AF, Thadhani RI, Camargo Jr CA. Randomized controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation for winter-related atopic dermatitis in Boston: a pilot study. Br J Dermatol. 2008;159(1):245–7.
Javanbakht MH, Keshavarz SA, Djalali M, et al. Randomized controlled trial using vitamins E and D supplementation in atopic dermatitis. J Dermatol Treat. 2011;22(3):144–50.
Litonjua AA. Dietary factors and the development of asthma. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2008;28(3):603–29. ix.
Devereux G, Wilson A, Avenell A, McNeill G, Fraser WD. A case-control study of vitamin D status and asthma in adults. Allergy. 2010;65(5):666–7.
Freishtat RJ, Iqbal SF, Pillai DK, et al. High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among inner-city African American youth with asthma in Washington, DC. J Pediatr. 2010;156(6):948–52.
Alyasin S, Momen T, Kashef S, Alipour A, Amin R. The relationship between serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels and asthma in children. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2011;3(4):251–5.
Bener A, Ehlayel MS, Tulic MK, Hamid Q. Vitamin D deficiency as a strong predictor of asthma in children. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2012;157(2):168–75.
Chinellato I, Piazza M, Sandri M, et al. Serum vitamin D levels and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in children with asthma. Eur Respir J. 2011;37(6):1366–70.
Hypponen E, Berry DJ, Wjst M, Power C. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and IgE—a significant but nonlinear relationship. Allergy. 2009;64(4):613–20.
Wjst M, Hypponen E. Vitamin D serum levels and allergic rhinitis. Allergy. 2007;62(9):1085–6.
Keet CA, McCormack MC, Peng RD, Matsui EC. Age- and atopy-dependent effects of vitamin D on wheeze and asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;128(2):414–6. e5.
Sharief S, Jariwala S, Kumar J, Muntner P, Melamed ML. Vitamin D levels and food and environmental allergies in the United States: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2006. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;127(5):1195–202.
Tolppanen AM, Williams D, Henderson J, Lawlor DA. Serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and ionised calcium in relation to lung function and allergen skin tests. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011;65(4):493–500.
Hypponen E, Sovio U, Wjst M, et al. Infant vitamin D supplementation and allergic conditions in adulthood: northern Finland birth cohort 1966. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004;1037:84–95.
van Oeffelen AA, Bekkers MB, Smit HA, et al. Serum micronutrient concentrations and childhood asthma: the PIAMA birth cohort study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2011;22:784–93.
Hollams EM, Hart PH, Holt BJ, et al. Vitamin D and atopy and asthma phenotypes in children: a longitudinal cohort study. Eur Respir J. 2011;38:1320–7.
Back O, Blomquist HK, Hernell O, Stenberg B. Does vitamin D intake during infancy promote the development of atopic allergy? Acta Derm Venereol. 2009;89(1):28–32.
Brehm JM, Celedon JC, Soto-Quiros ME, et al. Serum vitamin D levels and markers of severity of childhood asthma in Costa Rica. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2009;179(9):765–71.
Brehm JM, Schuemann B, Fuhlbrigge AL, et al. Serum vitamin D levels and severe asthma exacerbations in the Childhood Asthma Management Program study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010;126(1):52–8. e5.
Searing DA, Zhang Y, Murphy JR, Hauk PJ, Goleva E, Leung DY. Decreased serum vitamin D levels in children with asthma are associated with increased corticosteroid use. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010;125(5):995–1000.
Sutherland ER, Goleva E, Jackson LP, Stevens AD, Leung DY. Vitamin D levels, lung function, and steroid response in adult asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2010;181:699–704.
Peroni DG, Piacentini GL, Cametti E, Chinellato I, Boner AL. Correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and severity of atopic dermatitis in children. Br J Dermatol. 2011;164(5):1078–82.
Chinellato I, Piazza M, Sandri M, Peroni D, Piacentini G, Boner AL. Vitamin D serum levels and markers of asthma control in Italian children. J Pediatr. 2011;158(3):437–41.
Heaney RP, Armas LA, Shary JR, Bell NH, Binkley N, Hollis BW. 25-Hydroxylation of vitamin D3: relation to circulating vitamin D3 under various input conditions. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87(6):1738–42.
Embry AF, Snowdon LR, Vieth R. Vitamin D and seasonal fluctuations of gadolinium-enhancing magnetic resonance imaging lesions in multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol. 2000;48(2):271–2.
Acknowledgments
Funding: Dr. Litonjua is funded by U01HL091528 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; AI056230 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; and AG027014 from the National Institute of Aging.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Litonjua, A.A. (2012). The Role of Vitamin D in the Development, Exacerbation, and Severity of Asthma and Allergic Diseases. In: Litonjua, A. (eds) Vitamin D and the Lung. Respiratory Medicine, vol 3. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-888-7_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-888-7_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-887-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-888-7
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)