Vitamin e supplementation, lung functions and clinical manifestations in children with moderate asthma: a randomized double blind placebo- controlled trial

Asthma is the most common chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by cough, wheezing and dyspnea in children. Nutrition is an important factor which influences on induction and exacerbation of asthma. There are controversies to use Vitamin E in asthmatic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin E supplement in children with moderate asthma. This is a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial performed on children (age 2-17 years old) with moderate asthma (5-17 years old) from March 2010 to March 2012. Case group were treated with fluticasone and vitamin E (50mg/day) and control group received fluticasone plus placebo for 8 weeks. Out of 300 cases, 240 cases completed the study. Female to male ratio was 0.84. Serum level of Vitamin E significantly increased after treatment in intervention group. FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio was significantly improved in case group compared to the control group. It can be concluded that vitamin E supplement could improve clinical manifestations and pulmonary function test in children with moderate asthma.