Clinical Study on Vitamin D Levels in Childhood Asthma

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a leading cause of morbidity in children worldwide. There is a high prevalence of asthma in the Indian subcontinent. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with asthma and upper respiratory tract infections in children. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this research was to study the relation between vitamin d deficiency and level of asthma severity. Methods: The present study included 50 asthmatic children presenting to the paediatric OPD. All the subjects underwent detailed history taking and thorough clinical examination. All the necessary clinical data was collected through a questionnaire. Serum Vitamin D analysis was done using an automated device according to the standard guidelines. Data was collected in MS Excel and presented as numbers and percentages in the form of tables and figures. Results: There was an equal gender distribution in our study. 26% of the subjects had mild persistent asthma, 28% had moderate persistent asthma, 14% had severe persistent asthma and 32% had intermittent asthma. 36% of the study population was assessed with Vitamin D deficiency. In 42% of asthmatic children, level of control was good. In 26% of subjects asthma was partially controlled and uncontrolled in 32% of patients. The group of uncontrolled asthma had the highest i.e. 58% Vitamin D deficient children. Conclusion: There was prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in asthmatic children. There was direct and significant relation between Vitamin D deficiency and severity of asthma.