Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – The vitamin D levels of newborn babies appear to be linked to the development of respiratory infections during infancy and the occurrence of wheezing during early childhood, however researchers say they aren’t predictors of developing asthma.

The findings published in the latest issue of Pediatrics support the theory that widespread vitamin D deficiency contributes to risk of infections.

“Our data suggest that the association between vitamin D and wheezing, which can be a symptom of many respiratory diseases and not just asthma, is largely due to respiratory infections,” says Carlos Camargo, MD, DrPH, of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), who led the study. “Acute respiratory infections are a major health problem in children.”

An example of respiratory problems in children is bronchiolitis – a viral illness that affects small airway passages in the lungs and is the leading cause of hospitalization in U.S. infants.

Vitamin D which is produced by the body in response to sunlight is typically associated with its role in developing and maintaining strong bones, however research data is now suggesting that it is also critical to the immune system.

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