Most illnesses caused by the novel H1N1 flu virus have been mild. But in a rare number of cases healthy people, notably children and young adults, have become seriously ill or even died.
While several underlying neurodevelopmental conditions as well as secondary infections contributed, evidence has surfaced that the afflicted had low vitamin D levels.
Swine Flu Deaths in Children
A government analysis indicated that one in four people sick enough to be hospitalized with swine flu last spring had to be admitted to intensive care and seven percent of them died. Half of those treated in the hospital were children or teens which is unusual because seasonal influenza typically strikes hardest in the elderly.
Since April, 76 children younger than 18 have died following H1N1 infections, according to Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of immunization and respiratory diseases for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those figures compare to between 46 and 88 deaths from seasonal flu in a typical year explains Schuchat. Almost two-thirds of the children who died from swine flu had epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or other neurodevelopmental conditions like mental retardation.
Many of the healthy children who contracted the swine flu had secondary infections. Some developed pleural effusion, a collection of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity, and a film of scar tissue that forms on the surface of their lungs. Pleural effusion is a rare complication typically seen in adults, not in children.
Vitamin D Deficiency One Factor in Swine Flu Deaths
A 2009 report in the Journal of Pediatric Research stated that infants and children appear more susceptible to viral rather than bacterial infections when they are deficient in vitamin D. Based on the available evidence connecting vitamin D, infections and immune function in children, researchers suggest vitamin D supplementation may be a useful therapy in pediatric medicine.
Dr. Cannell a leader in the field of vitamin D research, published his findings on the seasonality of the flu and vitamin D deficiency in 2006 in a study “Epidemic influenza and vitamin D.” Results indicate that vitamin D deficiency predisposes children to respiratory infections. Ultraviolet radiation exposure on the skin (either from artificial sources or from sunlight) reduces the incidence of viral respiratory infections, as does cod liver oil (which contains vitamin D). An interventional study showed that vitamin D reduces the incidence of respiratory infections in children.
A large study reported in the February 2009 Archives of Internal Medicine found that people with the lowest blood vitamin D levels reported having more recent colds or flu. Risk rose in adults and children with acute or chronic respiratory disorders. "The findings of our study support an important role for vitamin D in prevention of common respiratory infections, such as colds and the flu," says Adit Ginde, MD, MPH, UC Denver Division of Emergency Medicine and lead author of the study.
Dr. Mercola, a leading natural health advocate notes in his online article "Anti-Vitamin D Bias, CDC Stumbles on Deficiency Link to H1N1 Deaths," that while several of the children who died of the swine flu did have neurodevelopmental issues, many of these conditions are associated with childhood vitamin D deficiency. In addition, these neurodevelopmental conditions are often treated with anti-convulsant drugs which further lower D levels.
Optimal Vitamin D Levels
Despite the name, vitamin D isn't a vitamin; it's a secosteroid hormone that targets over 2000 genes in the human body. Vitamin D has been shown, according to the Vitamin D Council, to have a positive effect on bone health, immunity, cancer prevention and inflammation. Vitamin D not readily available in most foods. It is made in large quantities when sunlight strikes bare skin, which is why a deficiency is more common in the winter, when sunlight is less available. Colds and flu levels also reach their peak in populations during the winter months.
Vitamin D deficiency in American teens is common. One study indicates that only 25 percent of more than 3,500 teenagers ages 12 to 19 had levels higher than 26 ng/ml, and 25 percent had levels lower than 15 ng/ml which is severely deficient. The optimal level of vitamin D is much higher than the conventional recommendation of 30 ng/m. Vitamin D levels should be 50-65 ng/ml.
“If you use suntan parlors once a week,” says Dr. Cannell, “or if you live in Florida and sunbathe once a week, year-round, do nothing.” However, if you receive very little UVB exposure the Council recommends the following dosing levels of D3 for healthy adults and children:
- healthy children under the age of 2 - 1,000 IU per day*
- healthy children over the age of 2 - 2,000 IU per day*
- adults and adolescents - 5,000 IU per day.
*The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 mg per day for children.
Dr. Cannell suggests increasing the dose if your child is ill although there is really no way to know if they are at optimal levels unless they are tested. He recommends supplementing before getting the 25(OH)D test blood test then adjusting the dose so your child's 25(OH)D levels are between 50–80 ng/ml, summer and winter.
Further Reading:
Tamiflu for Swine Flu Not Always Best Option
Swine Flu Vaccine Additives Complex Issue
Laura Owens - Laura Owens has a B.S. in Psychology from Rollins College & U of FL. She is a freelance writer with expertise in motivation & wellness.
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