Reference
Melough, M. M., Murphy, L. E., Graff, J. C., Derefinko, K. J., LeWinn, K. Z., Bush, N. R., Enquobahrie, D. A., Loftus, C. T., Kocak, M., Sathyanarayana, S., & Tylavsky, F. A. (2021). Maternal Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D during Gestation Is Positively Associated with Neurocognitive Development in Offspring at Age 4–6 Years. The Journal of Nutrition, 151(1), 132-139. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxaa309
Review
Melough et al.'s (2021) study explored the relationship between gestational 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and IQ scores among children aged 4-6 years. The researchers used data from the CANDLE (Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early Childhood) cohort, which included 1,503 women in their second trimester of healthy singleton pregnancies. The study found that higher maternal 25(OH)D levels during the second trimester were associated with higher Full Scale IQ, Verbal IQ, and Nonverbal IQ scores in offspring at 4-6 years old. The authors observed no evidence of effect modification by race.
The results of this study suggest that gestational vitamin D status may be an essential predictor of neurocognitive development. These findings have implications for prenatal nutrition recommendations and are particularly relevant for Black and other dark-skinned women who are at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency. By emphasizing the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during pregnancy, healthcare providers can better support optimal neurocognitive development in children.
