Vitamin D Supplementation during Pregnancy and the Prevention of Childhood Asthma

This editorial evaluates the efficacy of prenatal vitamin D supplementation in preventing childhood asthma, focusing on the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial (VDAART). The trial found no significant reduction in school age asthma or recurrent wheeze among children whose mothers received high dose vitamin D (4400 IU/day) during pregnancy compared to standard dose (400 IU/day). However, earlier data suggested transient protection against wheezing in the first 3 years of life, possibly due to reduced susceptibility to viral infections. The authors conclude that while vitamin D does not prevent persistent asthma, it may mitigate early life wheezing, warranting further research on its role in viral respiratory illnesses.

This editorial evaluates the efficacy of prenatal vitamin D supplementation in preventing childhood asthma, focusing on the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial (VDAART). The trial found no significant reduction in school age asthma or recurrent wheeze among children whose mothers received high dose vitamin D (4400 IU/day) during pregnancy compared to standard dose (400 IU/day). However, earlier data suggested transient protection against wheezing in the first 3 years of life, possibly due to reduced susceptibility to viral infections. The authors conclude that while vitamin D does not prevent persistent asthma, it may mitigate early life wheezing, warranting further research on its role in viral respiratory illnesses.