Effects of vitamin D supplementation on core symptoms, serum serotonin, and interleukin-6 in children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized clinical trial

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have several risk factors for low bone mineral density. The gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet is a complementary therapy sometimes used in ASD that raises concerns for the adequacy of calcium and vitamin D intake. This study evaluated the prescribing practices of calcium and vitamin D supplements and the practice of checking 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels by providers in 100 children with ASD, 50 of whom were on the GFCF diet. Fifty-two percent and 46% of children on the GFCF diet were on some form of vitamin D and calcium supplements, respectively, compared to 18% and 14% of those not on this diet. Twenty-four percent of children in the GFCF group had a documented 25(OH)D level compared to none in the non-GFCF group. The data highlight a gap in calcium and vitamin D supplement prescribing practices among providers caring for children with ASD as well as a gap in the practice of checking 25(OH)D levels.

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Pregnancy and Cord Vitamin D Status and Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Toddlers: An Odense Child Cohort Study

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1937 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S127-S127

Author(s):

S.S.B. Clausen ◽

H.T. Christesen ◽

C. Dalgård ◽

S. Lykkedegn ◽

P. Munk-Jørgensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Early Pregnancy ◽

Child Behavior Checklist ◽

A Priori ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Vitamin D Supplementation ◽

Child Gender ◽

Spectrum Disorders

IntroductionVitamin D deficiency is widespread globally in pregnant women and is suggested to contribute to offspring risk of symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but findings are inconsistent.ObjectivesTo investigate whether low prenatal 25OHD exposure and 25OHD status in early life increase risk of early symptoms of ASD.AimsTo investigate early signs of ASD.MethodsFrom the prospective birth cohort, Odense child cohort (n = 2.549), Denmark, we included singletons with their mothers with available serum concentrations of 25OHD at early pregnancy (n = 1.231), late pregnancy (n = 1.361), and birth (n = 2.082). ASD symptoms were rated by parents on the pervasive developmental problem (PDP) scale of the Child behavior checklist for ages 1½-5 (CBCL 1½-5). Associations between 25OHD and PDP score were analyzed by multiple linear and logistic regression models. A priori included covariates were gestational age, child gender, birth weight, season of birth, parity, parental psychiatric diagnoses, maternal age, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, education level, vitamin D supplementation, and pre-gestational BMI.ResultsMeans (SD) of 25OHD for early pregnancy, late pregnancy, and cord were 65.5 (21.5), 78.7 (27.0), and 47.0 (21.7) nmol/L, respectively. PDP data were obtained at a mean (SD) of 2.7 (0.6) years of age. Data from the regression analyses are pending.ConclusionsIn this well-off cohort with relatively high levels of cord 25OHD, power calculations allows us to detect a true change of 0.02 PDP scores per 10 nmol/L change in 25OHD. Further studies will clarify whether early PDP scores track later ASD diagnosis.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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