title: Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for childhood allergic disease and asthma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Over the past 2 years, the number of studies relating vitamin D deficiency and asthma and allergies has increased significantly. The purpose of this review is to update the last review in this journal and examine the evidence of the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and childhood asthma and allergies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the past 2 years since the last review, there have been many studies, both cross-sectional and prospective, that have investigated the effects of vitamin D on the inception and severity of asthma and allergies. Most, but not all, studies have shown that low vitamin D levels increase the risk for asthma and allergies, but a few suggest an increased risk with high levels. Results from small trials of short duration suggest that vitamin D supplementation decreases severity of eczema and decreases the risk for asthma exacerbations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data that vitamin D deficiency results in increased risks for asthma and allergies continues to accumulate. However, the optimal level of vitamin D that decreases both the risk for development and severity of these disorders remains elusive. Results of ongoing clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation will be needed before recommendations can be firmly established.
authors.affiliation: Channing Laboratory and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusettes, USA. augusto.litonjua@channing.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Augusto A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Litonjua
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D