Vitamin-D-Kids Asthma

The Vitamin D Kids Asthma Study (VDKA) was a 48-week multicenter randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D3 for severe asthma exacerbations in children 6-16 years old, recruited from February 28, 2016 to September 20, 2019. An ancillary study for nasal sampling was conducted at the Pittsburgh site. Prior to randomization, participants completed questionnaires and underwent collection of nasal samples for gene expression studies. VDKA was approved by the IRBs of all participating institutions, and the ancillary study was approved by the IRB of the University of Pittsburgh. Written parental consent was obtained for participating children, from whom written assent was also obtained. ]]>
Inclusion:Mild persistent asthma with ≥ 1 severe asthma exacerbation in the previous yearSerum vitamin D < 30 ng/mlNo use of systemic corticosteroidsNo upper respiratory infections for ≥ 4 weeks prior to nasal samplingNonsmoker or former smoker with ≤ 5 pack-years smoking history.]]>