Vitamin D Supplementation during Pregnancy and the Prevention of Childhood Asthma

This editorial discusses the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial (VDAART), which investigated whether high-dose vitamin D supplementation (4400 IU/day) during pregnancy prevents childhood asthma. The trial found no significant reduction in asthma or recurrent wheeze by age 6 in children of supplemented mothers compared to controls (400 IU/day). While earlier data suggested a transient protective effect against wheezing in the first 3 years of life, likely due to reduced viral respiratory infections, the long term follow up showed no impact on persistent, allergy related asthma. The authors conclude that prenatal vitamin D supplementation does not prevent school age asthma but may warrant further study for mitigating transient wheezing in high-risk infants.

This editorial discusses the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial (VDAART), which investigated whether high-dose vitamin D supplementation (4400 IU/day) during pregnancy prevents childhood asthma. The trial found no significant reduction in asthma or recurrent wheeze by age 6 in children of supplemented mothers compared to controls (400 IU/day). While earlier data suggested a transient protective effect against wheezing in the first 3 years of life, likely due to reduced viral respiratory infections, the long term follow up showed no impact on persistent, allergy related asthma. The authors conclude that prenatal vitamin D supplementation does not prevent school age asthma but may warrant further study for mitigating transient wheezing in high-risk infants.