Vitamin D supplementation leads to some favourable changes in a baby’s microbiome, most notably a lower abundance of Megamonas bacteria, according to a Canadian study.

Using data from the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) study, the research shows the gut microbe is lower in babies who had vitamin D supplements as drops or formula by three months of age.

The researchers says their previous research found the genus Megamonas to be more common in baby boys born to mothers with asthma.

“Interestingly, maternal history of asthma is also a risk factor for more severe respiratory viral infection in infants,” said senior author Dr Anita Kozyrskyj of the University of Alberta, in Edmonton.