Factors associated with serum vitamin D levels in children with recurrent wheezing less than 3 years old

Purpose: We evaluated the relationship between laboratory/clinical factors and vitamin D levels in recurrent wheezers less than 3 years old. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data and laboratory factors (25-hydroxyvitamin D, complete blood count, C-reactive protein, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamyl purovic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase [ALP], eosinophil counts, and serum IgE IgG, IgA, IgM) of 84 children less than 3 years who had experienced wheezing episodes at least 3 times. Results: Children in the normal group (1.4 +/- 0.9 years) were younger than those in the deficient (2.2 +/- 1.2 years) and insuffient (2.3 +/- 1.0 years) groups (P=0.010). Glutamyl purovic transaminase were higher in the normal group (24.5 +/- 19.4 IU/L) than in the deficient (16.0 +/- 4.7 IU/L) and insufficient (15.3 +/- 4.5 IU/L) groups (P=0.009). ALP were higher in the deficient (791.4 +/- 180.8 IU/L) and insufficient (770.4 +/- 251.2 IU/L) groups than in the normal group (631.9 +/- 127.0 IU/L, P=0.034). Total IgE levels were higher in the deficient group (171.9 +/- 212.1 kU/L) than in the normal group (43.7 +/- 58.3 kU/L, P<0.05), and the rate of sensitization to aeroallergens was higher in the insufficient group (36.1%) than in the normal group (10%, P<0.05). Conclusion: Among children with recurrent wheezing less than 3 years old, low vitamin D levels may be associated with older age, total IgE, ALP level, glutamic pyruvate transaminase level, and rate of sensitization to aeroallergens.