Prenatal Vitamin D Supplementation: No Magic Bullet Against Asthma in the Offspring

Risk for asthma in 6-year-olds was not reduced by high-dose prenatal vitamin D in their mothers.

Prior analysis of a trial in which pregnant Danish women were randomized to daily high-dose (2400 IU) vitamin D or placebo in addition to the recommended intake of 400 IU starting at 24 weeks' gestation indicated that risk for asthma was lower in 3-year-old children of mothers in the high-dose group; however, the reduction was not statistically significant (NEJM JW Womens Health Feb 9 2016; [e-pub] and JAMA 2016; 315:353). To assess longer-term outcomes, the investigators analyzed asthma incidence in 545 of these children at age 6 years (94% of the original group).

In the extended analysis at 6 years, incidence of asthma was similar in both groups (8% [high-dose] and 7% [placebo]).

Reviewing Author

Anna Wald, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAicuris; Bayer; GSK; Innovative Molecules; Merck; MAPP Biopharmaceutical (Safety Monitoring Committee)

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; GSK; Moderna; Assembly Biomedical; Aicuris

Editorial BoardsSexually Transmitted Diseases; Sexually Transmitted Infections; Journal of Infectious Diseases

Leadership PositionsID Division Chiefs Community of Practice (At-Large Member)