Association of food allergy in children with vitamin D insufficiency: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Current literature regarding the association of vitamin D insufficiency and food allergy is contradicting. The purpose of our study was to investigate this association. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA statement. PubMeD and Scopus databases were systematically searched for case–control studies investigating the association between pediatric food allergy and vitamin D insufficiency. Our search yielded 806 studies. Ten final studies were considered eligible for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Children with vitamin D insufficiency were found to have 68% more probability to present a food allergy episode (adjusted pooled OR: 1.68, 95% CI [1.25–2.27], p -value: 0.001). In their second year of life they were 4 times more likely to present a food allergy episode (adjusted pooled OR: 4.06, 95% CI [1.93–8.56], p -value: < 0.001), and 56% more probable to develop food sensitization (OR: 1.56, 95% CI [1.15–2.11], p -value: < 0.004). Children in Australia with vitamin D insufficiency were almost 4 times more likely to develop egg sensitization (adjusted OR: 3.79, 95% CI [1.19–12.08], p -value: 0.024). Children with vitamin D insufficiency were almost twice as likely to have peanut sensitization (OR: 1.96, 95% CI [1.08–3.57], p -value: 0.028). Conclusion : Decreased maternal vitamin D levels and infant vitamin D insufficiency appear to increase the incidence of food allergies, particularly in the second year of life. To confirm this association, multicenter longitudinal studies are required. What is Known: • In newborns and young children, vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are prevalent. • The exact role of vitamin D in atopic diseases remains controversial. What is New: • Decreased maternal vitamin D levels and infant vitamin D insufficiency appear to increase the incidence of food allergies. This association is more evident in the second year of life.