Prenatal vitamin D supplementation and child respiratory health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Amare Abera Tareke, Addis Alem Hadgu, Andualem Mossie Ayana, Taddese Alemu Zerfu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Systematic review and meta-analyses of observational studies on maternal vitamin D status and risk of respiratory allergic conditions indicated that mothers who had supplementation during pregnancy could decrease the risk of recurrent wheeze or asthma in their offspring. OBJECTIVES: We conducted this meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials with the primary intention of detecting the effect of prenatal vitamin D supplementation on the offspring's asthma. Secondary outcomes under respiratory health include eczema, lower respiratory tract infections, Immunoglobulin E positive test, upper respiratory tract infections, and allergic rhinitis. METHODS: >50% representing notable heterogeneity. RESULTS: = 46% and Z-static = 0.90, P-value = 0.37). There is no significant difference in the risk of assessed childhood respiratory problems due to maternal supplementation of vitamin D during pregnancy. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Currently, there is no fertile evidence to promote vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy for childhood respiratory health. Future clinical trials should emphasize early initiation of vitamin D supplementation, consider 6 weeks to 6 months postnatal critical window for vitamin D deficiency for offspring, lower risk dose of vitamin D, and identify different phenotypes of asthma and response to vitamin D supplementation.