The metabolic role of vitamin D in children’s neurodevelopment: a network study

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with various proposed environmental risk factors and a rapidly increasing prevalence. Mounting evidence suggests a potential role of vitamin D deficiency in ASD pathogenesis, though causal mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we investigate the impact of vitamin D on child neurodevelopment through an integrative network approach that combines metabolomic profiles, clinical traits, and neurodevelopmental data from a pediatric cohort. Our results show that vitamin D deficiency is associated with changes in the metabolic networks of tryptophan, linoleic, and fatty acid metabolism. These changes correlate with distinct ASD-related outcomes, including delayed communication skills and respiratory dysfunctions. Additionally, our analysis suggests the kynurenine and serotonin sub-pathways might mediate the effect of vitamin D on early childhood communication development. Altogether, our findings provide metabolome-wide insights into the potential of vitamin D as a therapeutic option for ASD and other communication disorders.

Association of cord blood vitamin D with child neurodevelopment at 7 years of age

“…In addition, there is uncertainty around the definition of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, 74 particularly for neurodevelopment, 14 as well as lack of clearly defined underlying mechanisms through which vitamin D influences neurodevelopment. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Even the most recent Cochrane review of vitamin D in pregnancy identified 30 trials in over 7000 women (without reporting child neurodevelopment) and found the quality of evidence to be moderate to very low. 75 Future studies should focus on sufficiently large (powered) samples of vitamin D-deficient populations to verify that low vitamin D in pregnancy does not pose a threat to child neurodevelopment.…”

“…11 Some evidence from observational animal and human studies suggests a role of vitamin D for neurodevelopment and functioning, although findings are inconclusive and specific underlying mechanisms driving the association are not well established. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] A number of cohort and case-control studies have reported associations between low vitamin D in pregnancy and/or childhood and increased risk of behaviour problems such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity. [23][24][25][26][27] Two reviews of trials of vitamin D supplementation for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder also found a small decrease in symptoms, although authors noted the quality of evidence was low.…”