scholarly journals The Influence of Sunlight Exposure and Sun Protecting Behaviours on Allergic Outcomes in Early Childhood

Author(s):  
Kristina Rueter ◽  
Anderson P. Jones ◽  
Aris Siafarikas ◽  
Paola Chivers ◽  
Susan L. Prescott ◽  
...  

The dramatic rise in allergic disease has occurred in tandem with recent environmental changes and increasing indoor lifestyle culture. While multifactorial, one consistent allergy risk factor has been reduced sunlight exposure. However, vitamin D supplementation studies have been disappointing in preventing allergy, raising possible independent effects of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. The aim of this study was to examine whether UV light exposure influences the development of allergic disease in early childhood. Direct sunlight exposure (290–380 nm) in early infancy was measured via UV dosimeters. Outdoor exposure, sun protective behaviours, and allergy outcomes were assessed over the first 2.5 years of life with clinical assessment appointments at 3, 6, 12 and 30 months of age. Children with eczema had less (p = 0.038) direct UV light exposure between 0-3 months of age (median (IQR) 747 (473–1439) J/m2) than children without eczema (median (IQR) 1204 (1717–1843) J/m2); and less outdoor exposure time (7 min/day) between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. compared to children without eczema (20 min/day, p = 0.011). These associations were seen independent of vitamin D status, and after adjusting for other potential confounders. Whilst we could not find any associations between direct UV light exposure and other allergic disease outcomes, exposure to UV light appears to be beneficial in reducing the risk of eczema development in early childhood. Further research is required to determine optimal levels of UV light exposure while balancing the potential risks.

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 873-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. S. Wicherts ◽  
A. J. P. Boeke ◽  
I. M. van der Meer ◽  
N. M. van Schoor ◽  
D. L. Knol ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Hoxha ◽  
Maria Zoto ◽  
Leonard Deda ◽  
Gentian Vyshka

The relationship between vitamin D status and asthma has been subject to several studies in the last decade. Epidemiological data suggest that incidence of asthma and atopic diseases increased significantly in most Westernized countries. The significant variation between countries suggests that besides genetic factors, environmental aspects play a role in the pathogenesis of atopy. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is high in many industrialized countries. In addition to its relationship with bone metabolism, vitamin D is recognized as an immunomodulator, with important effects on both adaptive and innate immunity. Correlations between vitamin D status and asthma have been formulated, with a considerable interest in assessing whether this vitamin protects against or reduces asthma morbidity. In this review, we discuss recent findings regarding vitamin D status throughout Europe and its influence over asthma and allergic rhinitis prevalence. Geographical latitude and dietary habits may explain the lower prevalence of allergic disease in Albania. We also consider the effects of vitamin D supplementation in allergic disease. Several clinical trials are under way and their results are needed in order to make definitive recommendations about the optimal dose of vitamin D for prevention and treatment of asthma and allergic disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
Quazi Tarikul Islam ◽  
Md Alimur Reza ◽  
Md Khalilur Rahman ◽  
AFM Nazmul Islam ◽  
Saiyeedur Rahman ◽  
...  

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a whole spectrum of diseases including osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular and immune disorders. Though Bangladesh is low latitude country, vitamin D Deficiency is serious and wide spread problem in Bangladesh. Physicians of Bangladesh are more vulnerable to low vitamin D status due to long indoor work hours and lack of sunlight exposure in both government & private institute. So, the aim of this study to evaluate vitamin D status among the physicians working around the Bangladesh. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, multicenter study where we enrolled 1112 doctors from 9 different areas of Bangladesh from May 2018 to June 2019. A Blood sample was collected from all participants to measure Serum 25(OH)D and various patient data such as age, gender, BMI, physical activity level during leisure time, use of vitamins and medications, sunlight exposure time, tea/coffee drinking, smoking, H/O comorbidities etc. was collected. Results: Of the 1112 doctors assessed in the study,794 (71.4%) was male and 318 (28.6%) was female. Mean age of the participants was 45.5±11.1 Years. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was found in 734 (65.8%) and 105 (9.4%) participants respectively. Mean vitamin D level was 18.9 ng/ml (±8.6 ng/ml). Less than 5% of participants of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka, Bogura and Sylhet had sufficient vitamin D level. Vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with age, obesity, sunlight exposure, physical inactivity, hypertension and vitamin D supplementation. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is very common among physicians of all over Bangladesh. The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the present study points towards urgent need of an integrated approach to detect vitamin D deficiency among health care professionals and treat appropriately. Bangladesh J Medicine January 2021; 32(1) : 31-38


2013 ◽  
Vol 169 (4) ◽  
pp. R59-R69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Romagnoli ◽  
Jessica Pepe ◽  
Sara Piemonte ◽  
Cristiana Cipriani ◽  
Salvatore Minisola

The growing attention to the role of vitamin D in skeletal and extra-skeletal diseases over the last decade induced an increased demand for vitamin D determination as well as a dramatic rise of sales of vitamin D supplement. However, several critical points in this field remain to be clarified. We lack a clear consensus about the definition of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency. The identification of different thresholds defining vitamin D status has relevant implications in clinical practice. In fact, the worldwide prevalence of low vitamin D status is highly varying according to the level of 25(OH)D utilized to define sufficiency. Therefore, the assessment of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels may have a critical role, but a number of different technical problems associated with its determination may interfere in interpreting the results. The hydrophobic nature of vitamin D and the tight binding to its carrier (vitamin D binding protein), the different forms circulating in blood, and the issue of standardization are among the most important factors influencing the measurement of this metabolite. Another controversial point relies on the conflicting guidance on prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency endorsed by different medical and scientific communities. In particular, uncertainty exists about how to replete vitamin D stores, how to maintain normal 25(OH)D levels after repletion, which form of vitamin D is preferable for supplementation, and which route of administration and dosing regimens are advisable. Finally, concerns have been raised regarding vitamin D toxicity and its adverse effects.


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