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Vitamin D and Neurodevelopment
Context
A new large-scale study published in The Lancet Psychiatry highlights a potential causal link between neonatal vitamin D levels and reduced risk of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia, ADHD, and autism.
Vitamin D – Biological Role:
- Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin crucial for calcium absorption, bone health, immune function, and neuromuscular operations.
- It exists in two primary forms: D? (ergocalciferol) and D? (cholecalciferol).
- The body synthesizes Vitamin D? when the skin is exposed to UVB rays of sunlight.
Study Relevance:
- The Danish cohort study measured neonatal levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and Vitamin D-binding protein in over 88,000 individuals.
- It found that higher levels of neonatal Vitamin D are statistically associated with a lower risk of schizophrenia (18%), ADHD (11%), and autism (7%).
- No significant associations were found with depression or bipolar disorder.
Epidemiological Methods Used:
- Polygenic Risk Score (PRS): Used to correlate genetically predicted vitamin D levels with neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Mendelian Randomisation: Applied to test causality by examining whether inherited gene variants affecting vitamin D levels correlate with lower disorder risk.
Indian Context – Deficiency Despite Sunlight:
- High prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in Indian pregnant women and newborns despite tropical climate.
- Studies:
- AIIMS Rishikesh (2017-18): 74% of infants and 85.5% of mothers deficient.
- Bengaluru: 92.1% of newborns deficient.
- Bundelkhand (2024): Strong correlation between maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels.
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