The Association between Vitamin D Status and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The association between vitamin D status and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is well-investigated but remains to be elucidated. We quantitatively combined relevant studies to estimate whether vitamin D status was related to ASD in this work. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched to include eligible studies. A random-effects model was applied to pool overall estimates of vitamin D concentration or odds ratio (OR) for ASD. In total, 34 publications involving 20,580 participants were identified in this present study. Meta-analysis of 24 case–control studies demonstrated that children and adolescents with ASD had significantly lower vitamin D concentration than that of the control group (mean difference (MD): −7.46 ng/mL, 95% confidence interval (CI): −10.26; −4.66 ng/mL, p < 0.0001, I2 = 98%). Quantitative integration of 10 case–control studies reporting OR revealed that lower vitamin D was associated with higher risk of ASD (OR: 5.23, 95% CI: 3.13; 8.73, p < 0.0001, I2 = 78.2%). Analysis of 15 case–control studies barring data from previous meta-analysis reached a similar result with that of the meta-analysis of 24 case–control studies (MD: −6.2, 95% CI: −9.62; −2.78, p = 0.0004, I2 = 96.8%), which confirmed the association. Furthermore, meta-analysis of maternal and neonatal vitamin D showed a trend of decreased early-life vitamin D concentration in the ASD group (MD: −3.15, 95% CI: −6.57; 0.26, p = 0.07, I2 = 99%). Meta-analysis of prospective studies suggested that children with reduced maternal or neonatal vitamin D had 54% higher likelihood of developing ASD (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.12; 2.10, p = 0.0071, I2 = 81.2%). These analyses indicated that vitamin D status was related to the risk of ASD. The detection and appropriate intervention of vitamin D deficiency in ASD patients and pregnant and lactating women have clinical and public significance.

Is Supplementation with Micronutrients Still Necessary during Pregnancy? A Review

“…The association between vitamin D status and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is well-investigated but remains to be elucidated. The detection of and appropriate intervention addressing vitamin D deficiency in ASD patients and pregnant and lactating women have clinical and public significance [ 74 ].…”

Ways to Address Perinatal Mast Cell Activation and Focal Brain Inflammation, including Response to SARS-CoV-2, in Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…The natural molecule berberine may be particularly useful in cases of PANS/PANDAS because of its antibacterial properties, but also because it can inhibit mast cells [ 370 , 371 ] and improve brain circulation [ 372 ]. In addition, high doses of Vitamin D3 are recommended, because this vitamin has been found to be present at low levels in mothers and/or children with ASD [ 371 , 373 , 374 , 375 ] and also decreases atopic responses [ 376 ]. When all fails, intravenous Ig may be administered [ 289 ].…”

Результати Вивчення Показників Біохімічного Профілю У Дітей З Розладами Спектру Аутизму, Асоційованими З Генетичним Дефіцитом Фолатного Циклу

“…Результати мета-аналізу контрольованих клінічних досліджень, підготовленого Wang Z. зі спів. у 2020 році, що охоплювали результати 34 випробувань за участю 20580 дітей, вказують, що знижена сироваткова концентрація вітаміну D, є характерною ознакою дітей з розладами спектру аутизму (mean difference (MD): -7.46 ng/mL, 95 % CI: -10.26; -4.66 ng/mL, p<0,0001, I2=98 %) [27]. Відповідно до цього, дані систематичного огляду та мета-аналізу контрольованих клінічних досліджень Li B. зі спів.…”