Vitality Trial

Project status: Active

Research area: Population Health > Population Allergy

VITALITY aims to determine if vitamin D supplementation leads to a reduction in challenge-proven food allergy.

Recruitment for the Vitality Trial has now closed, with results expected to be published from late 2023 onwards.

There has been an increase in food allergy in recent years. The cause of this is unknown; however, the number of people experiencing allergic reactions has significantly increased. The aims of this study is to see the relationship between food allergy, vitamin D and immune function in infants.

Recruitment for the Vitality Trial has now closed, with results expected to be published from late 2023 onwards.

There has been an increase in food allergy in recent years. The cause of this is unknown; however, the number of people experiencing...

Recruitment for the Vitality Trial has now closed, with results expected to be published from late 2023 onwards.

To help understand more about Vitamin D and food allergy, more than 2,700 infants aged between six-to-12 weeks – who were predominantly breastfed and not taking Vitamin D were enrolled in the Trial. Each infant was given a vitamin drop every day and attended a free allergy test at 12 months of age.

What’s new?

Recruitment has closed and final data will be collected in 2023, however, the team has already started analysing samples and surveys. Results are expected to be published from late 2023 onwards.

Six-year follow-up

The Trial has begun a six-year follow-up to explore the effects of vitamin D on eczema, asthma and your child’s developing teeth. VITALITY participants will be invited back into the clinic when they turn six for another free allergy test, as well as lung function and dental assessments. This will help expand our research beyond the food allergy status of children.

Who was enrolled?

Mothers with infants:

Age 6-12 weeks
Planning to be primarily breastfed until 6 months of age (not exclusively bottle-fed)
Living in Greater Melbourne, Victoria

What's involved?

Taking part in one initial home visit where samples were collected.
Completing four online surveys in your child’s first year of life.
Attending a free allergy test appointment when your child turns one year old at The Royal Children’s Hospital.
Giving your baby one drop of a vitamin or placebo every day.
A six-year follow-up, including a free allergy test, lung function and dental, assessments.