title: Vitamin D deficiency at 16 to 20 weeks' gestation is associated with impaired lung function and asthma at 6 years of age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitamin D deficiency is associated with chronic lung disease. We have previously shown in an in vivo mouse model that maternal vitamin D deficiency is associated with alterations in early life lung structure and function. However, there are limited data to support a relationship between maternal vitamin D deficiency during the early stages of lung development and postnatal lung function in human populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the association between maternal vitamin D deficiency, postnatal lung function, and asthmatic status in a longitudinal birth cohort.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum was collected at 16 to 20 weeks' gestation at the time of recruitment in a community-based prospective birth cohort for measurement of vitamin D (25[OH]D). Lung function was assessed by spirometry according to American Thoracic Society guidelines in children at 6 and 14 years of age. Demographic and clinical history data were collected by questionnaire at recruitment and at the follow-up visits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FVC Z-scores in both sexes (β, 0.007 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.001-0.013]; P = 0.02) and FEV1 Z-scores in girls (β, 0.007 [95% CI, 0.001-0.013]; P = 0.02) were positively associated with maternal serum 25(OH)D at 6 years of age. These associations were mostly absent at 14 years of age. Maternal vitamin D deficiency was positively associated with asthma at 6 years of age but only in boys (odds ratio, 3.03 [95% CI, 1.02-9.02]; P = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the notion that vitamin D deficiency during lung development may impact on postnatal lung growth and increase the risk of developing lung disease.
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Graeme R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Zosky
authors.forename: Prue H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Andrew J O
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Whitehouse
authors.forename: Merci M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kusel
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Rachel E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Foong
authors.forename: Linping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Patrick G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Sly
authors.forename: Graham L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D002112:Calcifediol