Mohan Jayabal1, Rashmi Ramanathan2, Arun Kumar3, Pavithra Vyshnavi Yogisparan4 Manishankar Subramaniyam5, Vinoth Kumar Selvaraj6
BACKGROUND
Global prevalence of paediatric asthma has shown a sharp increase in last three
decades. Recently vitamin D has been linked with lung function and vitamin D
supplementation can lessen the acute exacerbations in asthmatic children. The
purpose of the study was to compare lung parameters and vitamin D levels in
asthmatic and non-asthmatic children and assess the correlation between vitamin
D levels and pulmonary function parameters in children.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 40 asthmatic children and 42
healthy volunteers between the age group of 5 and 18 years attending the
paediatric outpatient department (OPD) in a tertiary care centre in Coimbatore.
Pulmonary functions were assessed using computerized spirometer and the serum
25-hydroxy vitamin D levels were estimated by Diazyme EZ vitamin D assay latex
enhanced immunoturbidimetric method. The results were compared between
asthmatics and non-asthmatics to find out the association.
RESULTS
The average age of the study participants was 10.5 ± 2.5 years. Lung parameters
and mean vitamin D levels are reduced in asthmatics. There is a positive significant
correlation between serum vitamin D levels and forced expiratory volume FEV1 /
forced vital capacity (FVC) (P < 0.05, r = 0.781), and also between vitamin D and
FEV1 (P < 0.05, r = 0.28). Lung parameters like FEV1, FEV1 / FVC ratio and peak
expiratory flow rate (PEFR) are significantly decreased in asthmatic children.
CONCLUSIONS
Majority of the asthmatics have insufficient vitamin D levels than the normal peers
with no asthma. Our study confirms the positive association between vitamin D
and FEV1 and FEV1 / FVC ratio.
