Vitamin D deficiency in newborns

A major international study has found that babies born with low vitamin D levels may be at greater risk of developing neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) later in life.

The research, led by Professor John McGrath from the University of Queensland, analysed data from more than 71,000 people born in Denmark between 1981 and 2005. It’s published in The Lancet Psychiatry and tracks long-term outcomes using neonatal blood samples taken shortly after birth.

The results show that low levels of vitamin D at birth are linked to a:

• 15% increase in risk of schizophrenia

• 9% increase in risk of ADHD

• 5% increase in risk of ASD

While vitamin D is not a sole cause of these conditions, the researchers argue it is a modifiable risk factor meaning it’s something we can potentially influence through better supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy.

What’s the UK perspective?

Here in the UK, newborns are not routinely tested for vitamin D deficiency at birth. The standard “heel prick” blood spot test, done at around 5 days old, screens for nine rare but serious conditions, but vitamin D levels aren’t one of them.

Instead, the NHS follows a preventative approach, recommending that:

All breastfed babies from birth to 1 year are given a daily vitamin D supplement (8.5 to 10 micrograms).

Formula-fed babies don’t need supplements if they drink more than 500ml of formula a day, as it’s already fortified with vitamin D.

The same advice applies to pregnant and breastfeeding women, a daily supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU) of vitamin D is recommended to support both maternal and infant health.

Vitamin D plays a key role in brain development. While this study doesn’t prove cause and effect, it does suggest that supporting optimal vitamin D levels during pregnancy and in early life might reduce the risk of some neurodevelopmental disorders.

It also adds weight to the importance of sticking to NHS supplementation guidance, especially in winter months when sunlight, our primary source of vitamin D, is in short supply.

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