Relationship of maternal vitamin D level with maternal and infant respiratory disease

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the association of maternal vitamin D and maternal asthma and infant respiratory infection severity. STUDY DESIGN: The study included cross-sectional analyses of 340 mother-infant dyads enrolled from September to May 2004-2008 during an infant viral respiratory infection. Maternal vitamin D levels were determined from enrollment blood specimens. At enrollment, we determined self-reported maternal asthma and infant respiratory infection severity using a bronchiolitis score. We assessed the association of maternal vitamin D levels and maternal asthma and infant bronchiolitis score in race-stratified multivariable regression models. RESULTS: The cohort was 70% white, 19% African American, and 21% had asthma. Overall, the median maternal vitamin D level was 20 ng/mL (interquartile range, 14-28). Among white women, a 14 ng/mL increase in vitamin D was associated with a decreased odds of asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.86). Maternal vitamin D was not associated with infant bronchiolitis score. CONCLUSION: Higher maternal vitamin D levels were associated with decreased odds of asthma.