The Relationship between Vitamin D Status and Allergic Diseases in New Zealand Preschool Children

• Main Authors: Carolyn Cairncross, Cameron Grant, Welma Stonehouse, Cath Conlon, Barry McDonald, Lisa Houghton, Darryl Eyles, Carlos A. Camargo, Jane Coad, Pamela von Hurst
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2016-06-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: vitamin D; children; allergic disease; New Zealand
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/8/6/326

Recent research on vitamin D in young children has expanded from bone development to exploring immunomodulatory effects. Our aim was to investigate the relationship of vitamin D status and allergic diseases in preschool-aged children in New Zealand. Dried capillary blood spots were collected from 1329 children during late-winter to early-spring for 25(OH)D measurement by LC-MS/MS. Caregivers completed a questionnaire about their child’s recent medical history. Analysis was by multivariable logistic regression. Mean 25(OH)D concentration was 52(SD19) nmol/L, with 7% of children <25 nmol/L and 49% <50 nmol/L. Children with 25(OH)D concentrations ≥75 nmol/L (n = 29) had a two-fold increased risk for parent-report of doctor-diagnosed food allergy compared to children with 25(OH)D 50–74.9 nmol/L (OR = 2.21, 1.33–3.68, p = 0.002). No associations were present between 25(OH)D concentration and presence of parent-reported eczema, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis or atopic asthma. Vitamin D deficiency was not associated with several allergic diseases in these New Zealand preschool children. In contrast, high 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with a two-fold increased risk of parental-report food allergy. This increase supports further research into the association between vitamin D status and allergic disease in preschool children.