Vitamin D in pregnancy helps reduce asthma risk in newborns
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024
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Additional intake of vitamin D-containing preparations by a woman during pregnancy helps to reduce the risk of bronchial asthma in her newborn child. At the same time, we are talking about a mono-drug, as standard multivitamins do not have such an effect. This was stated by scientists at Harvard Medical School and Boston Medical Center after studying the information collected over 15 years of observation.
Vitamin D is a bioactive substance, calciferol, represented mainly in the form of ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol. This micronutrient is able to form in the body under the influence of ultraviolet rays. In addition, it comes with food or medicinal vitamin supplements. The main purpose of vitamin D is to ensure adequate development and stability of the skeletal apparatus, normal function of the immune system, endocrine system, nerves and muscles. Hypovitaminosis D is quite common, including in women during pregnancy and in children.
Over the years, many scientific studies have been conducted to find the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the development of childhood bronchial asthma. However, a recent study by Harvard Medical School researchers, who carefully analyzed the results of the Antenatal Project to study the incidence of asthma on the background of vitamin D intake, proved to be really informative. This project lasted for 15 years and consisted of observing pregnant women with a hereditary history of allergic and asthmatic processes. The histories of patients who were between 10 and 18 weeks gestation were studied. The first group of women was given vitamin D in the amount of 4400 IU as a supplement to the same vitamin (400 IU), but included in the usual multivitamin preparations recommended for the period of pregnancy. The second group of expectant mothers took the same multivitamin preparations, but received a placebo instead of additional vitamin D.
After analyzing the results, experts found that in the first group, the risk of developing bronchial asthma in children under 3 years of age decreased by an average of 20%, and in children under six years of age - by 50%.
In addition, laboratory tests revealed that supplementation of the vitamin caused a decrease in total plasma IgE and optimized pulmonary function in the babies.
Given the scientifically proven causal component between the presence of vitamin D in the mother's body and the development of bronchial asthma in babies, experts advise expectant mothers during pregnancy to regularly consume at least 4400 IU of cholecalciferol from the first days of pregnancy.
Information provided on the Journal of Allergists and Clinical ImmunologistsJournal of Allergists and Clinical Immunologists page at