Vitamin D Supplementation Compared to Standard of Care Alone in Reducing Asthma Exacerbations in Pediatric Patients Ages 6-18 Years Old

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory illness among pediatric populations. An asthma exacerbation, otherwise known as an acute attack is the leading cause of morbidity in children resulting in missed time from activities, increased absence from school, and increased healthcare costs. In general, more frequent and severe exacerbations requiring urgent attention or medical care indicates poorer control. Vitamin D has long been established as a requirement for proper skeletal growth and development; however it also modifies the inflammatory response by our immune system. Its role in asthma is not yet clear, and few studies have proposed a possible link between vitamin D supplementation and decreased airway inflammation