Relationships between Plasma Micronutrients, Serum IgE, and Skin Test Reactivity and Asthma among School Children in Rural Southwest Nigeria

Objective. Increasing prevalence of asthma has been attributed to changes in lifestyle and environmental exposures. We conducted a case-control study to investigate the relationship between serum micronutrients and asthma in rural school children in Nigeria. Methods. We administered questionnaires to 1,562 children to identify children with asthma. Serum concentration levels of 12 micronutrients were determined in asthma cases (N = 37) and controls (N = 30). Allergy skin prick test and spirometry were also performed. Results. Plasma levels of the following micronutrients were significantly different between cases and controls: calcium (7.48 ± 2.16 versus 8.29 ± 1.62 mg/dL; P = 0.04), manganese (44.1 ± 11.5 versus 49.3 ± 7.9 mg/L; P = 0.01), selenium (76.1 ± 14.9 versus 63.3 ± 26.8 μg/L; P = 0.02), and albumin (3.45 ± 0.90 versus 3.91 ± 0.99 g/dL; P = 0.04). Plasma concentrations of iron and selenium were positively correlated with lung function, r = 0.43 (P < 0.05 in each case) while manganese serum concentration was negatively correlated with asthma (r = -0.44; P < 0.05). Conclusions. Children with asthma had reduced levels of plasma manganese, calcium, and albumin but raised level of selenium. The protective or risk effects of these micronutrients on asthma warrant further investigation.