:
Vitamin D is a neurosteroid hormone crucially involved in neurodevelopment. Neural cell proliferation,
neurotransmission, oxidative stress and immune function represent the main mechanisms mediated by vitamin
D in the Central Nervous System. Therefore, its deficiency during pregnancy and early childhood may significantly
impact on a developing brain, leading to possible adverse neuropsychological outcomes including
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Significant vitamin D deficiency is described within children affected by ASD
and in pregnant mothers whose offspring will later develop ASD, suggesting a possible role of the hormone as a
contributing risk factor in the etiopathogenesis of ASD. We reviewed the actual literature on the potential contributing
role of prenatal and early postnatal vitamin D deficiency in ASD etiopathogenesis, at both genetic and
environmental levels, and the possible effect of vitamin D supplementation in autistic children. Conflicting but
promising results emerged on the topic.
:
Further Randomized Controlled Trials studies carried out during pregnancy and early infancy are necessary for
better understanding the possible contribution of vitamin D deficiency in the etiopathogenesis of autism and the
potential efficacy of the hormone supplementation in the improvement of ASD core symptoms.
Omega-3 PUFAs and vitamin D co-supplementation as a safe-effective therapeutic approach for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder: case report and literature review
