Allergic diseases of the skin and drug allergies – 2006. Cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and allergic disease during infancy

Results Maternal intake of supplemental vitamin D was significantly correlated with CB 25(OH)D3 concentration (rho = 0.244, p = 0.003) while dietary vitamin D did not influence CB levels. There was significant seasonal variation in CB 25(OH)D3 concentration suggesting that sunlight exposure was an important determinant. Lower CB vitamin D status was observed in infants that developed eczema (p = 0.018), and eczema was significantly more likely in those with concentrations < 50 nmol/L compared with >75 nmol/L (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.24 – 5.72; p = 0.012). This association remained significant after adjustment for multiple confounding factors. The associations between CB 25(OH)D3 concentration and allergen sensitization, IgE-mediated food allergy and eczema severity (SCORAD) were not significant. Conclusions Reduced vitamin D status in pregnancy may be a risk factor for the development of eczema in the first year of life, reinforcing the need to explore the role of vitamin D exposure during development for disease prevention.