Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder

1,25(OH)2D is the hormonally active form of vitamin D known for its pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects. Via altering gene transcription, 1,25(OH)D exerts immunosuppressive effects and stimulates immune regulation. Recently, the interest in vitamin D in association with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been triggered. The prevalence of ASD has increased excessively over the last few decades, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of the etiology of the disorder as well as to find better treatments. Vitamin D levels in ASD patients are observed to be lower compared to healthy individuals and maternal vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of ASD. Moreover, vitamin D supplementation improves ASD symptoms. These recent clinical findings strongly suggest that vitamin D is a factor in ASD onset and progression. Yet, possible mechanisms behind this association remain unknown. This review summarizes immunomodulatory properties of vitamin D and peripheral immune dysregulation in ASD, after which possible mechanisms via which vitamin D could rebalance the immune system in ASD are discussed. Although promising clinical results have been found, further research is necessary to draw conclusions about the effect and mechanisms behind the effect of vitamin D on ASD development.

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Role of Vitamin D in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612825666191122092215 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (41) ◽

pp. 4357-4367 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Loai Alzghoul

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Vitamin D Supplementation ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Vitamin D Levels

: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder with heterogeneous etiology. Vitamin D can function as a fat-soluble vitamin as well as a hormone, and can exert its effect through both genomic and non-genomic mechanisms. In the last decades, several studies have examined the relationship between vitamin D levels and ASD. These studies demonstrated that low vitamin D status in early development has been hypothesized as an environmental risk factor for ASD. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency in early life can alter brain development, dysregulates neurotransmitter balance in the brain, decreases body and brain antioxidant ability, and alters the immune system in ways that resemble pathological features commonly seen in ASD. In this review, we focused on the association between vitamin D and ASD. In addition, the above-mentioned mechanisms of action that link vitamin D deficiency with ASD were also discussed. Finally, clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation treatment of ASD have also been discussed.

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Vitamin D Supplementation is Beneficial for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis

Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience ◽

10.9758/cpn.2020.18.2.203 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 203-213

Author(s):

Liyao Song ◽

Xiaomei Luo ◽

Qing Jiang ◽

Zhi Chen ◽

Lifang Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Vitamin D Supplementation ◽

Spectrum Disorder

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Response to letters: Randomized controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation in children with autism spectrum disorder – correction and additional information

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry ◽

10.1111/jcpp.12788 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

pp. e3-e5 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Khaled Saad

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Vitamin D Supplementation ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Additional Information ◽

Randomized Controlled

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Hypovitaminosis D as a risk factor for severe autism spectrum disorder

Paediatrica Indonesiana ◽

10.14238/pi61.2.2021.82-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 82-8

Author(s):

Diyah Rakanita Undang ◽

Mei Neni Sitaresmi ◽

Roni Naning

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Risk Factor ◽

General Hospital ◽

Parental Education ◽

Hypovitaminosis D ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Children With Asd ◽

Vitamin D Levels

Background Vitamin D is an important risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, research on hypovitaminosis D as a risk factor for severe ASD has been limited. To our knowledge, no such studies have been done in Indonesia. Objective To evaluate hypovitaminosis D as a risk factor for severe ASD. Methods This cross-sectional study included children aged 2-18 years who fulfilled the ASD DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. Subjects were consecutively sampled from April - June 2019 at the Child Growth and Polyclinic, Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta. Assessment of ASD severity was carried out using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale Second Edition (CARS-2) questionnaire. Serum 25(OH)D examination was done in the Clinical Laboratory, Dr. Sardjito General Hospital. Results Of 36 children with ASD, 36.1% had hypovitaminosis D (<30 ng/mL) and 69.4% had severe ASD, based on the CARS-2 questionnaire (≥37-60). Bivariate analysis revealed that children with hypovitaminosis D had more severe CARS-2 values (92.3%) compared to those with normal vitamin D levels (56.5%) (PR 1.633; 95%CI 1.10 to 2.42; P=0.031). Multivariate analysis with logistic regression revealed that hypovitaminosis D increased the risk of severe ASD (PR 1.65; 95%CI 1.06 to 2.56; P=0.037). However, other variables such as gender, parental education, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, sleep disorders, pharmacotherapy and non-pharmacotherapy had no significant relationships with severe ASD. Conclusion Children with ASD and hypovitaminosis D have a 1.65 times higher risk of severe ASD compared to children with ASD and sufficient vitamin D levels. We recommend that children with ASD undergo serum 25(OH)D monitoring.

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Vitamin D Deficiency and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612826666200415174311 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (21) ◽

pp. 2460-2474

Author(s):

Martina Siracusano ◽

Assia Riccioni ◽

Roberta Abate ◽

Arianna Benvenuto ◽

Paolo Curatolo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Vitamin D Supplementation ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Potential Efficacy ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Core Symptoms

: 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.

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The Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu14010026 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 26

Author(s):

Monia Kittana ◽

Asma Ahmadani ◽

Lily Stojanovska ◽

Amita Attlee

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Vitamin D Supplementation ◽

Repetitive Behaviors ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Children With Asd

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present with persistent deficits in both social communication and interactions, along with the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors, resulting in significant impairment in significant areas of functioning. Children with ASD consistently reported significantly lower vitamin D levels than typically developing children. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency was found to be strongly correlated with ASD severity. Theoretically, vitamin D can affect neurodevelopment in children with ASD through its anti-inflammatory properties, stimulating the production of neurotrophins, decreasing the risk of seizures, and regulating glutathione and serotonin levels. A Title/Abstract specific search for publications on Vitamin D supplementation trials up to June 2021 was performed using two databases: PubMed and Cochrane Library. Twelve experimental studies were included in the synthesis of this review. Children with ASD reported a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. In general, it was observed that improved vitamin D status significantly reduced the ASD severity, however, this effect was not consistently different between the treatment and control groups. The variations in vitamin D dose protocols and the presence of concurrent interventions might provide an explanation for the variability of results. The age of the child for introducing vitamin D intervention was identified as a possible factor determining the effectiveness of the treatment. Common limitations included a small number of participants and a short duration of follow-ups in the selected studies. Long-term, well-designed randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the effect of vitamin D on severity in children with ASD.

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