Summary: Children born with low levels of vitamin D are at higher risk of developing mental health disorders such as ADHD, schizophrenia and autism later in life. Researchers analyzed data from more than 71,000 people and linked vitamin D deficiency in newborns to an increased risk of several neurodevelopmental disorders.
This research builds on previous studies and suggests that vitamin D plays an important role in brain development in early childhood. The findings support recommendations for vitamin D supplementation as a protective measure against mental health disorders during pregnancy and early childhood.
Important facts:
- Increased risk: Children with low vitamin D levels are more likely to have ADHD, schizophrenia, and autism.
- General deficiency: Vitamin D deficiency is common among pregnant women worldwide.
- Prevention ability: Vitamin D supplementation at a young age may reduce the risk of brain diseases.
Source: University of Queensland
Newborns with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to develop mental health disorders such as ADHD, schizophrenia and autism later in life, according to a major study by the University of Queensland.
In the largest population study of its kind, researchers looked at the vitamin D status of 71,793 people, many of whom had been diagnosed with a mental health disorder during childhood and early adolescence.
Professor John McGrath of the UQ Queensland Brain Institute led the research, which was conducted at Aarhus University and the Danish State Serum Institute’s National Centre for Registry-based Research.
They said they reviewed six mental health disorders: major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anorexia nervosa.
“We found evidence that people with low vitamin D levels are at higher risk of schizophrenia, ASD and ADHD,” said Professor McGrath.
Previous research has shown that vitamin D deficiency in newborns is associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia and autism. However, this study examined a broader range of mental disorders and included evidence based on two biomarkers related to vitamin D and its associated genetics.
Professor McGrath said his research suggests that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and early life may help reduce the risk of mental health disorders in later life.
“Vitamin D plays a crucial role in a baby’s brain development, and vitamin D deficiency is widespread among pregnant women globally,” he explained. This is why many countries advise taking vitamin D supplements during pregnancy.
“Much like folic acid is recommended to help prevent spina bifida, our research indicates that supporting healthy vitamin D levels early in life could lower the risk of various neurodevelopmental disorders.”
“Just as folic acid supplements are recommended during pregnancy to prevent spina bifida, our research suggests that improving vitamin D levels in early life may reduce the risk of several neurodevelopmental disorders.”
The researchers analyzed data from the iPSYCH study, which was established in 2012 to investigate mental disorders in Denmark.
Vitamin D is usually obtained from the sun, but can also be found in some foods and supplements.
This research was published in The Lancet Psychiatry.
Professor McGraw’s work is funded by the Danish National Research Foundation, the Queensland Mental Health Research Centre and the University of Queensland.
Funding: The iPSYCH project is funded by the Lundbeck Foundation.
About this vitamin D and ASD research news
Author: UQ Communications
Source: University of Queensland
Contact: UQ Communications – University of Queensland
Image: The image is credited to StackZone Neuro
Original Research: Closed access.
“Convergent evidence linking neonatal vitamin D status and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders: a Danish case-cohort study” by John McGrath et al. Lancet Psychiatry
Abstract
Evidence for an association between vitamin D status and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in newborns: A Danish case-cohort study
Background
There is growing evidence that vitamin D deficiency in newborns is associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between two vitamin D biomarkers (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and vitamin D binding protein [DBP], and their genetic correlates) and the risk of six mental disorders.
Methods
We used a population-based cohort sample of all individuals born in Denmark between 1981 and 2005. Using Danish health registers with follow-up until December 31, 2012, we identified individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, ASD-ASD, and ICD-SA01.
In addition, a random subcohort was selected from the general population. 25(OH)D and DBP concentrations were measured using dried blood samples from newborns. Our primary analyses were based on hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs and absolute risks of six mental disorders based on measured 25(OH)D and DBP concentrations.
As secondary analyses, we examined the association between genetic predictors of 25(OH)D and PAD, and six mental disorders, as well as Mendelian randomization analyses based on published summary statistics of 25(OH)D, PAD, and six mental disorders. Individuals with prior experience contributed to the development of the guiding hypothesis.
Recommendations
We used the total population from the iPSYCH2012 design (n = 88,764), which included individuals who developed all six mental disorders: major depressive disorder (n = 24,240), bipolar disorder (n = 1,928), schizophrenia (n = 3,540), ADHD (n = 18,764), ADHD (n = 18,764), SDX (n = 1616), or nervosa (n = 3,643), and a randomly selected subcohort (n = 30,000).
Among those who met various inclusion criteria (e.g., had 25(OH)D, DBP, or genotype measured, and were predominantly of European descent), we included 71,793 individuals (38,118 [53.1%] had 25(OH)D or DBP measured). 65,952 had 25(OH)D measurements and 66,797 had DBP measurements.
Significant inverse associations were found between 25(OH)D and schizophrenia (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.78-0.86), ASD (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.90-0.96), and ADHD (HR 0.89, 9090-9520%). A significant inverse association was found between PAD and schizophrenia (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.80-0.88).
According to polygenic risk scores, higher 25(OH)D concentrations (adjusted for DBP) were significantly associated with a lower risk of ASD and schizophrenia. Mendelian randomization-based analyses supported a causal association between lower 25(OH)D and DBP concentrations and an increased risk of ADHD.
Interpretation
Conflicting evidence suggests that vitamin D status in newborns is associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders. Our study supports the hypothesis that improving vitamin D status in newborns can reduce the incidence of various neurodevelopmental disorders.
Funding
National Research Foundation of Denmark.
