Babies born to mothers with lack of Vitamin D 'more likely to have learning difficulties'
CHILDREN conceived during the darker Winter months in the UK are more likely to have learning difficulties because their mothers did not get enough sunshine, according to new research.
By MARK REYNOLDS
PUBLISHED: 15:47, Tue, Aug 23, 2016
A study found youngsters conceived between January and March were more likely to develop autism or dyslexia.
It is most likely to be due to their mothers’ lack of Vitamin D - which helps brain growth - at that time of year, researchers said.
Scientists have long known that the vitamin is created naturally in the body through exposure to sunlight.
The groundbreaking new study discovered that those conceived between January to March - when days are shorter - are more likely to suffer from such conditions as autism, intellectual difficulties and learning problems such as dyslexia.
A study of more than 800,000 school children showed 8.9per cent of those conceived in the first quarter of the year had learning disabilities compared to 7.6per cent of those conceived between July and September.
The research, carried out in collaboration with Cambridge University, the NHS and the Scottish Government, found the seasonal differences related to learning difficulties.
Professor Gordon Smith, department head of obstetrics and gynaecology at Cambridge, said: “If vitamin D levels do indeed explain the seasonal fluctuations observed in this study, we would hope that widespread compliance with the advice would lead to loss of this variation, and would have a downward effect on overall rates of special educational needs.
“Although the current study did not directly measure vitamin D, it remains perhaps the most plausible explanation for the trend.”
He added: “Hence, these findings underline the importance of health professionals recommending vitamin D, and the importance of women complying with the treatment to optimize their chances of a healthy child.”
Vitamin D is mainly obtained from exposure to sunlight.
Egg yolks, cheese and fish oil are other good sources of the vitamin which has also been associated with a healthy heart and combating cancer, asthma and Type 2 diabetes.
Although the researchers did not measure Vitamin D levels directly in this particular study, the authors said that it was “the most plausible explanation for the trend”.
Around 700,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum. Together with their families they make up around 2.8 million people.
The new study did not find patterns for other causes of learning difficulties such as visual or hearing problems, or physical illness.
The UK does not receive enough sunlight in January, February and March for pregnant women to produce the vitamin proven to be important for brain development.
The children in the research were born before guidelines were issued in 2012 advising all pregnant women to take vitamin D supplements to prevent other conditions, such as rickets.
Professor Jill Pell, director of Glasgow’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing, added: “It is important that pregnant women follow the advice to take vitamin D supplements and also that they start supplements as early in pregnancy as possible - ideally when they are trying to get pregnant.”
The research, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, looked at health and education data collected from 801,592 children who attended Scottish schools between 2006 and 2011.
Comment:
Dr. Eisenstein recommended pregnant and nursing mothers take 10,000 iu of vitamin D3 per day.
By MARK REYNOLDS
PUBLISHED: 15:47, Tue, Aug 23, 2016
A study found youngsters conceived between January and March were more likely to develop autism or dyslexia.
It is most likely to be due to their mothers’ lack of Vitamin D - which helps brain growth - at that time of year, researchers said.
Scientists have long known that the vitamin is created naturally in the body through exposure to sunlight.
The groundbreaking new study discovered that those conceived between January to March - when days are shorter - are more likely to suffer from such conditions as autism, intellectual difficulties and learning problems such as dyslexia.
A study of more than 800,000 school children showed 8.9per cent of those conceived in the first quarter of the year had learning disabilities compared to 7.6per cent of those conceived between July and September.
The research, carried out in collaboration with Cambridge University, the NHS and the Scottish Government, found the seasonal differences related to learning difficulties.
Professor Gordon Smith, department head of obstetrics and gynaecology at Cambridge, said: “If vitamin D levels do indeed explain the seasonal fluctuations observed in this study, we would hope that widespread compliance with the advice would lead to loss of this variation, and would have a downward effect on overall rates of special educational needs.
“Although the current study did not directly measure vitamin D, it remains perhaps the most plausible explanation for the trend.”
He added: “Hence, these findings underline the importance of health professionals recommending vitamin D, and the importance of women complying with the treatment to optimize their chances of a healthy child.”
Vitamin D is mainly obtained from exposure to sunlight.
Egg yolks, cheese and fish oil are other good sources of the vitamin which has also been associated with a healthy heart and combating cancer, asthma and Type 2 diabetes.
Although the researchers did not measure Vitamin D levels directly in this particular study, the authors said that it was “the most plausible explanation for the trend”.
Around 700,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum. Together with their families they make up around 2.8 million people.
The new study did not find patterns for other causes of learning difficulties such as visual or hearing problems, or physical illness.
The UK does not receive enough sunlight in January, February and March for pregnant women to produce the vitamin proven to be important for brain development.
The children in the research were born before guidelines were issued in 2012 advising all pregnant women to take vitamin D supplements to prevent other conditions, such as rickets.
Professor Jill Pell, director of Glasgow’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing, added: “It is important that pregnant women follow the advice to take vitamin D supplements and also that they start supplements as early in pregnancy as possible - ideally when they are trying to get pregnant.”
The research, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, looked at health and education data collected from 801,592 children who attended Scottish schools between 2006 and 2011.
Comment:
Dr. Eisenstein recommended pregnant and nursing mothers take 10,000 iu of vitamin D3 per day.