Skip to main content
. 2012 Apr 1;4(2):137–145. doi: 10.4161/derm.20434

Table 2. Studies of vitamin D status in school-age children with asthma.

Author Year n
(% male)
Age (years) Study Design Sample Outcome Measures Findings
Brehm41
2009
616 (60)
8.7
Cross-sectional
Mild-to-severe persistent asthma
Asthma exacerbations
Increased 25(OH)D associated with reduced hospitalization, reduced anti-inflammatory medication use and reduced airway hyperresponsiveness
Brehm69
2010
1024 (60)
8.9
Prospective cohort
Mild-to-moderate persistent asthma
Hospitalization or emergency department visit
Baseline 25(OH)D levels < 30 ng/mL associated with higher odds of hospitalization or emergency department over 4 y
Chinellato70
2011
75 (60)
9.6
Cross-sectional
Well-controlled and poorly controlled asthma
Spirometry, asthma control
Positive correlations noted between 25(OH)D and asthma control
Chinellato71
2011
45 (60)
10
Cross-sectional
Intermittent asthma
Lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness
Lower serum 25(OH)D associated with decreased lung function and increased airway hyperresponsiveness with exercise
Freishtat72
2010
92 (63)
11.1
Cross-sectional
African Americans with and without asthma
Physician-diagnosed asthma
Decreased 25(OH)D in asthmatics vs. controls
Majak73
2011
48 (67)
11.5
Randomized, double-blind, parallel arm clinical trial
Newly diagnosed asthma
Asthma exacerbations
Fewer exacerbations in children with vitamin D3 supplementation added to inhaled budesonide
Searing74
2010
100 (64)
7
Cross-sectional
Moderate to severe persistent asthma
Corticosteroid use and airflow limitation
Decreased 25(OH)D associated with lower lung function and higher corticosteroid requirements
Urashima75 2010 217 (57) 10.0 Randomized, double-blind clinical trial Schoolchildren (allcomers), subgroup with physician-diagnosed asthma Asthma exacerbations Reduced risk of asthma exacerbations in the subgroup with asthma after vitamin D3 supplementation