Vitamin D Supplementation During Pregnancy for Prevention of Asthma in Childhood

Vitamin D Supplementation During Pregnancy for Prevention of Asthma in Childhood: An Interventional Trial in the ABC (Asthma Begins in Childhood) Cohort

The aim of this study is to prevent asthma symptoms (recurrent wheeze) in childhood by supplementation with high dose vitamin D to the mother during pregnancy. Participants are mothers and children of the ABC (Asthma Begins in Childhood) cohort. Mothers are recruited during pregnancy and receive daily supplement with 2400 IU of Vitamin D3 or placebo from week 24 og gestation to 1 week after delivery. In addition all mothers are advised to take the recommended dose of 400 IU vitamin D daily. The mothers in ABC also participate in an interventional trial with fish oil supplementation, and the vitamin D randomization is stratified by fish oil treatment group. The child is followed with acute and planned vits at the research unit, and wheeze is diagnosed according to predefined algorithms.

Inclusion Criteria:

Mother:

• Pregnant in week 22-26 of gestation
• Participating in the ABC-cohort
• Living in Sealand, Denmark
• Fluent in Danish
• Willing to let the child participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

Mother:

• Intake of more than 400 IU of vitamin D during the last 6 months
• Endocrinological disease such as calcium metabolic disorder, parathyroid disorder, thyroid disorder or Diabetes type 1
• Tuberculosis
• Sarcoidosis
• In need of diuretics or heart medication including calcium channel blockers