Association of Serum Vitamin D Levels and Recurrent Wheezing in Children

Abstract

Introduction: Wheezing is quite frequently observed in preschool children. There are many risk factors responsible for the development of recurrent wheezing; recently, vitamin D has gained significant interest. Aim: To study the association of serum vitamin D (25(OH) D) level and recurrent wheeze in children less than three years of age. Materials and Methods: This was a Case-control study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi. Children less than three years with recurrent wheeze along with age matched controls were subjected to analysis of serum vitamin D, calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase levels. The data was analysed to find out an association between the serum levels of vitamin D and recurrent wheezing. Results: A strong association between the low serum Vitamin D levels and the recurrent wheeze (p=0.001) was found. Also, high levels of serum alkaline phosphatase were seen among the children with recurrent wheezes (677 vs 317 IU/L, p<0.001) and it had an inverse relation with serum vitamin D levels (k-0.688). Conclusion: Low serum vitamin D level is strongly associated with recurrent wheezing in preschool children.

Keywords

• alkaline phosphatase
• asthma
• calcium
• phosphate