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Review
. 2021 Feb;56(2):354-361.
doi: 10.1002/ppul.25053. Epub 2020 Dec 8.

Obesity-related asthma in children: A role for vitamin D

Brian P O'Sullivan  1 , Laura James  2 , Joseph M Majure  3 , Scott Bickel  4 , Ly-Thao Phan  5 , Monica Serrano Gonzalez  6 , Heather Staples  7 , Jade Tam-Williams  8 , Jason Lang  9 , Jessica Snowden  2 ; IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network
Affiliations
Review

Obesity-related asthma in children: A role for vitamin D

Brian P O'Sullivan et al. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Excess adipose tissue predisposes to an enhanced inflammatory state and can contribute to the pathogenesis and severity of asthma. Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties and low-serum levels are seen in children with asthma and in children with obesity. Here we review the intersection of asthma, obesity, and hypovitaminosis D in children. Supplementation with vitamin D has been proposed as a simple, safe, and inexpensive adjunctive therapy in a number of disease states. However, little research has examined the pharmacokinetics of vitamin D and its therapeutic potential in children who suffer from obesity-related asthma.

Keywords: asthma; children; inflammation; obesity; pediatric; vitamin D.

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Conflict of interest statement

Summary Conflict of Interests: Authors do not have conflicts of interest

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
The intersection of asthma, obesity, and vitamin D deficiency in pediatric populations is not well known.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
Factors released or secreted by adipose tissue.
Figure 3:
Figure 3:
The effects of leptin on innate and adaptive immunity.
Figure 4:
Figure 4:
Immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D on inflammatory cells in allergic asthma.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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