Can Vitamin D Supplementation in the First Year of Life Prevent Food Allergy in Infants? The VITA… (NCT02112734) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingPhase 4
Can Vitamin D Supplementation in the First Year of Life Prevent Food Allergy in Infants? The VITALITY Trial: Parts 1&2
Australia2,739 participantsStarted 2014-12
Plain-language summary
We report that Australia has the highest prevalence of Immunoglobulin(Ig)E-mediated food allergy in the world, with 10% of infants having challenge-proven food allergy in Melbourne. There has been a 5-fold increase in hospital admissions for life-threatening anaphylaxis. These changes are most pronounced in children less than 5 years, suggesting a causal role for early life determinants. We have primary data to inform hypotheses for the rise in food allergy, which appears to result from potentially modifiable factors related to the modern lifestyle, particularly Vitamin D insufficiency (VDI). We propose an intervention study to assess if infant Vitamin D supplementation during the first year of life significantly decreases the risk of early-onset food allergy and other allergic disease at 12 months (part 1) and 6 years of age (part 2). Australia is ideally placed to answer this important question since, unlike the USA, Canada and Europe, there are no population recommendations for routine infant supplementation with Vitamin D and we are one of the few developed countries that do not supplement the food chain supply with Vitamin D.
Who can participate
Age range
6 Weeks – 12 Weeks
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
Each participant must meet the following criteria to be included in this study:
* Healthy, term (born no earlier than 2 weeks before estimated date of delivery), predominantly breastfeeding infants aged 6 to 12 weeks (inclusive) who are expected to be predominantly breastfed for at least 6-months. This will be determined by answering yes/no to question 'do you intend/wish to breastfeed until your infant is at least 6 months of age.' Up to one bottle (approx. 120mL) of formula per 24 hours at the time of screening is acceptable, as this will contain \<100 IU vitamin D.
* Has a parent/legally acceptable representative (LAR) capable of understanding the informed consent document and providing consent on the subject's behalf,
* The parent must expect to be able to complete 4 online questionnaires over the infant's first 12 months of life and for the infant to be available for skin prick testing (+/- food challenge) at The Royal Children's Hospital at 12 months of age.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded from the study:
* Infants who are currently receiving vitamin D supplementation
* Infants on medication that interferes with vitamin D metabolism
* Poor health due to a current or past significant disease state or congenital abnormality.
* Prematurity \<37 weeks/low birth weight \<2500 g/Small for gestational age (SGA)
* Unable to provide consent without the aid of an interpreter.
* Women at high risk of …
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
The prevalence of challenge-proven food allergy at 12 months of age
Timeframe: At 12 months of age
2
The occurrence of definite food allergy or tolerance at 6 years of age