Summary: New research shows that babies born with low vitamin D levels face a higher likelihood of developing neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions later in life, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Analysis of more than 71,000 individuals links neonatal vitamin D deficiency to elevated risks for several mental health disorders, reinforcing the importance of maternal and early-life vitamin D for brain development.
This large-scale study builds on earlier work and provides converging evidence that adequate vitamin D in early life may help support healthy brain development and reduce the risk of a range of neurodevelopmental disorders. The findings bolster public health recommendations that pregnant people and young infants maintain sufficient vitamin D levels through safe sun exposure, diet and supplementation when appropriate.
Key facts:
- Increased risk: Neonatal vitamin D deficiency was associated with higher risks of ADHD, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder.
- Common deficiency: Low vitamin D during pregnancy is widespread in many regions, making this a globally relevant concern.
- Preventive potential: Ensuring adequate vitamin D in pregnancy and early infancy may reduce the incidence of several neurodevelopmental disorders.
Source: University of Queensland
Newborns with low vitamin D levels are more likely to develop ADHD, schizophrenia and autism later in life, according to a major multinational study led by researchers associated with The University of Queensland.
In the largest population study of its kind, investigators examined neonatal vitamin D biomarkers in 71,793 individuals from Denmark, many of whom received diagnoses of mental health disorders in childhood or early adulthood. The study used high-quality, register-based data and laboratory measures taken from neonatal dried blood spots to assess vitamin D status at birth.
Professor John McGrath from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute led the study, which involved collaborators at the National Centre for Register-Based Research, Aarhus University, and the State Serum Institute in Denmark. The team investigated six mental disorders: major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anorexia nervosa.
The researchers found consistent, statistically significant inverse associations between neonatal concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and the risk of schizophrenia, ASD and ADHD. Lower levels of vitamin D–binding protein (DBP) were also linked to a higher risk of schizophrenia. Genetic analyses, including polygenic risk score and Mendelian randomisation approaches, provided additional support for a causal relationship, particularly between lower neonatal vitamin D markers and increased ADHD risk.
Professor McGrath emphasised that vitamin D plays an important role in early brain development and that low vitamin D levels are common among pregnant people worldwide. He said the findings are consistent with public health strategies that recommend vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy and compared the preventive approach to how folate supplementation reduces neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
The study used the iPSYCH case-cohort, a Danish research resource established in 2012 to investigate the genetic and environmental causes of mental disorders. Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin through sun exposure and is also present in certain foods and dietary supplements; the study underscores the potential public health benefit of ensuring adequate levels during pregnancy and the neonatal period.
This research is published in The Lancet Psychiatry. Funding for the work was provided by the Danish National Research Foundation, the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research and The University of Queensland. The iPSYCH project receives funding from 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: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Closed access. Study title: “Convergent evidence linking neonatal vitamin D status and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders: a Danish case-cohort study” by John McGrath et al., published in Lancet Psychiatry. DOI referenced in the original announcement.
Abstract
Convergent evidence linking neonatal vitamin D status and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders: a Danish case-cohort study
Background
Accumulating evidence suggests neonatal vitamin D deficiency is associated with higher risks of schizophrenia, ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between two neonatal vitamin D biomarkers—25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and vitamin D–binding protein (DBP)—their genetic correlates, and the later development of six mental disorders.
Methods
The researchers used a population-based case-cohort design including all individuals born in Denmark from 1981 to 2005, with follow-up through December 31, 2012. Diagnoses of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, ASD and anorexia nervosa were ascertained from national health registers using ICD-10 criteria. A randomly selected subcohort from the general population provided comparison data.
Neonatal dried blood spots were analysed to measure 25(OH)D and DBP concentrations. Primary analyses estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and absolute risk for each disorder according to measured biomarker concentrations. Secondary analyses assessed genetic predictors of 25(OH)D and DBP, and Mendelian randomisation analyses used published summary statistics to explore causality. People with lived experience contributed to developing the study hypothesis.
Findings
The iPSYCH2012 sample included 88,764 individuals overall, with cases across the six disorders and a random subcohort of 30,000. After applying inclusion criteria (availability of 25[OH]D, DBP or genotype data and predominantly European ancestry), 71,793 individuals were measured for 25(OH)D or DBP.
Significant inverse associations were observed between neonatal 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, 95% CI 0.86–0.92). Lower DBP was also linked to greater schizophrenia risk (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.80–0.88). Polygenic analyses showed that genetically higher 25(OH)D (adjusted for DBP) correlated with reduced risk of ASD and schizophrenia. Mendelian randomisation supported a causal role of lower 25(OH)D and DBP in increasing ADHD risk.
Interpretation
Converging biomarker, genetic and epidemiological evidence indicates neonatal vitamin D status is associated with altered risk of several neurodevelopmental disorders. The results support the hypothesis that optimising vitamin D levels in pregnancy and the neonatal period could reduce the incidence of some neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions.
Funding
The study was funded by the Danish National Research Foundation, with additional support acknowledged from the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research and The University of Queensland. The iPSYCH project is funded by the Lundbeck Foundation.