Are maternal levels of Vitamin D linked to Autism?

Autumn babies are more likely to suffer from learning difficulties.  This is probably because their mothers levels of Vitamin D were at their lowest when they were conceived researches believe.

In fact, there could be around 11% fewer cases of autism, dyslexia and other learning problems if mother’s levels of Vitamin D were higher according to researchers from the University of Glasgow.

In an analysis of more that 800,000 Scottish school children during 2006 – 2011, they discovered that 8.9% of children conceived between January and March when vitamin D levels are most likely at their lowest – had learning difficulties compared with 7.6% of children conceived between July and September.

While the researchers can’t be certain, they believe maternal levels of vitamin D are the most plausible explanation, especially as the first three months after conception are vital for brain development – and other studies have shown just how important vitamin D is to the process.

This research has created a change in public health policy, and all pregnant women are now advised to take Vitamin D supplements.

Reference

DF Mackay, GCS Smith, A Cooper et al, 2016, Month of Conception and Learning Disabilities: A Record-Linkage Study of 801,592 Children,  American Journal of Epidemiology, Vol 184, Issue 7 pages 485-93

See >> http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/184/7/485.abstract

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