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Risk of eczema, wheezing and respiratory tract infections in the first year of life: A systematic review of vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy and at birth.

Department of Social Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Department of Special Care Nursing, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan Campus, Pahang, Malaysia. Department of Nutrition, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

PloS one. 2020;(6):e0233890
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Abstract

BACKGROUND Allergic conditions and respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are common causes of morbidity and mortality in childhood. The relationship between vitamin D status in pregnancy (mothers), early life (infants) and health outcomes such as allergies and RTIs in infancy is unclear. To date, studies have shown conflicting results. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aims to gather and appraise existing evidence on the associations between serum vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy and at birth and the development of eczema, wheezing, and RTIs in infants. DATA SOURCES PubMed, MEDLINE, ProQuest, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and Academic Search Premier databases were searched systematically using specified search terms and keywords. STUDY SELECTION Articles on the associations between serum vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy and at birth and eczema, wheezing, and RTIs among infants (1-year-old and younger) published up to 31 March 2019 were identified, screened and retrieved. RESULTS From the initial 2678 articles screened, ten met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. There were mixed and conflicting results with regards to the relationship between maternal and cord blood vitamin D concentrations and the three health outcomes-eczema, wheezing and RTIs-in infants. CONCLUSION Current findings revealed no robust and consistent associations between vitamin D status in early life and the risk of developing eczema, wheezing and RTIs in infants. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42018093039.