With early childhood asthma and allergies on the rise, researchers are always on the lookout for reasons for this surge. In addition to a lack of vitamin D, iron deficiencies may also account for problems in infant and childhood breathing, according to a study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

As Science Daily reports in Pregnancy Anemia Linked to Childhood Wheezing and Asthma, ‘The study of 597 families who had previously participated in the Asthma in Pregnancy (AIP) Study, found 12 percent of mothers had anemia while pregnant. Among their children, 22 percent had recurrent wheeze in the first year of life and 17 percent had active asthma at age six.’

Allergist Paige Wickner, MD, co-author of the study and member of the ACAAI says, ‘The message for moms is, take your iron supplements and your baby may breathe easier.’ Asthmatic women must be especially vigilant about taking their iron supplements while pregnant: ‘We found that the effects of anemia on childhood respiratory health are even stronger and longer-lasting for women with asthma who have anemia while pregnant.’

For more on vitamins and allergies, see:
Vitamin D Prevents Mold Allergy.
Vitamin D Levels Influence Respiratory Health.