Latest news with #iPSYCH
Arab Times
21-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Low vitamin D at birth may raise risk of ADHD, autism, and Schizophrenia: study
NEW YORK, May 21: A large study involving The University of Queensland has found that newborn babies with low vitamin D levels are more likely to develop mental health conditions such as ADHD, schizophrenia, and autism later in life. Researchers looked at the vitamin D levels of 71,793 people, many of whom were diagnosed with mental disorders during childhood or early adulthood. This is the biggest study of its kind. Professor John McGrath from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute led the research, which was done in partnership with Aarhus University and the State Serum Institute in Denmark. The team studied six mental health conditions: major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and anorexia. 'We found that babies with lower levels of vitamin D had a higher risk of developing schizophrenia, ADHD, and autism,' Professor McGrath said. Previous studies had already suggested a link between low vitamin D at birth and both schizophrenia and autism. This new research looked at more mental health conditions and also used two vitamin D-related markers and genetic data for a deeper analysis. Professor McGrath said the findings support the idea that giving vitamin D supplements to pregnant women and babies might help lower the chances of mental illness later in life. 'Vitamin D is very important for a baby's brain development, and many pregnant women around the world have low levels of it,' he said. 'That's why vitamin D supplements are already recommended during pregnancy in many countries.' He compared this to the way folate supplements are used during pregnancy to prevent birth defects like spina bifida. 'In the same way, our study suggests that making sure babies have enough vitamin D could reduce the risk of several mental health problems.' The research used data from the iPSYCH study, which began in Denmark in 2012 to explore mental health issues. Vitamin D comes mainly from sunlight, but it can also be found in some foods and supplements. The study results were published in The Lancet Psychiatry. Funding came from the Danish National Research Foundation, the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, and the University of Queensland.
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Newborn Vitamin D Deficiency Linked To Higher Risk Of ADHD, Schizophrenia, Autism
Newborn babies with a vitamin D deficiency have a higher chance of later developing mental disorders such as ADHD, schizophrenia and autism, a major study involving The University of Queensland has found. In the largest population study of its kind, researchers examined vitamin D status of 71,793 people, many of whom had a mental health disorder diagnosed during childhood and early adulthood. Professor John McGrath from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute, led the study that was based at the National Centre for Register-Based Research, Aarhus University, and the State Serum Institute in Denmark. He said they examined 6 mental disorders: major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anorexia nervosa. 'We found evidence that people with lower vitamin D concentration as a baby had an increased risk of schizophrenia, ASD and ADHD,' Professor McGrath said. 'Previous research had linked neonatal vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of schizophrenia and autism, but this study examined a wider range of mental disorders, and included evidence based on two vitamin D-related biomarkers and related genetics.' Professor McGrath said their research suggested that vitamin D supplements during pregnancy and early life could help reduce the risk of mental disorders in adulthood. 'Vitamin D is important for a baby's brain development, and low vitamin D levels are common in pregnant women across the globe,'' he said. 'This is why many countries recommended the use of vitamin D supplements during pregnancy. 'Similar to how folate supplements are recommended during pregnancy to prevent spina bifida, our research suggest that optimising vitamin D levels in early life may reduce the risk of several neurodevelopmental disorders.' The researchers analysed data from the iPSYCH study, which was founded in 2012 to investigate mental disorders in Denmark. Vitamin D usually comes from sun exposure but can also be found in some foods and supplements. The research is published in The Lancet Psychiatry. Professor McGrath's work is funded by the Danish National Research Foundation, the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research and The University of Queensland. The iPSYCH project is funded by the Lundbeck Foundation.
