Low cord blood vitamin D levels are associated with increased milk sensitization in early childhood.
BACKGROUND
The association between vitamin D status at birth and allergen sensitizations is uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cord blood vitamin D status with allergen sensitizations and the development of atopic diseases in early childhood.


METHODS
Children aged 0 through 4 yr from a birth cohort in the Prediction of Allergies in Taiwanese Children (PATCH) study were enrolled. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in cord blood were measured by a new automated electrochemiluminescence-based assay. Specific IgE antibodies against food and inhalant allergens were measured at 6 months, and 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4 yr of age.


RESULTS
A total of 186 children were regular followed up at clinics for a 4-yr follow-up period. The mean level of cord blood 25(OH)D was 23.8 ± 9.5 ng/ml with a high prevalence of low vitamin D status (<20 ng/ml) at birth (42%). There was a tendency of low cord blood 25(OH)D levels being associated with higher risk of food sensitization throughout childhood. Cord blood 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with the risk of milk sensitization at age 2, at which age a higher prevalence of milk sensitization was significantly associated with the risk of allergic rhinitis, and asthma development at age 4.


CONCLUSIONS
Low cord blood vitamin D levels appear to be associated with increased milk sensitization but not with asthma, eczema, or allergic rhinitis in early childhood.
Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Keelung and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Community Medicine Research Centre, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan; Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Chih-Yung
CY
Chiu
Tsung-Chieh
TC
Yao
Sue-Hsien
SH
Chen
Ming-Han
MH
Tsai
Yu-Ling
YL
Tu
Man-Chin
MC
Hua
Kuo-Wei
KW
Yeh
Jing-Long
JL
Huang
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016269:Milk Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012306:Risk; D013624:Taiwan; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*
D000485:Allergens; D014807:Vitamin D
25-hydroxyvitamin D; cord blood; milk sensitization; vitamin D