The Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review

Kittana, Monia; Ahmadani, Asma; Stojanovska, Lily; Attlee, Amita

doi:10.3390/nu14010026

Cited by 22 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 90 publications

(176 reference statements)

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“…Other results showed that the plasma concentration of DBP is significantly reduced in ASD children [ 47 ]. The plasma concentration of vitamin D itself was reported to be reduced in these children [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], with a negative correlation between circulating serum vitamin D concentration and CARS scores, suggesting ASD severity to be associated with vitamin D serum levels [ 48 , 49 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may represent a risk factor for ASD in offspring [ 11 ]. Further, lower levels of vitamin D were reported in ASD children compared with neurotypical controls [ 12 , 13 , 14 ], and vitamin D supplementation was suggested to exert a potential beneficial effect in these children [ 15 ]. However, a clear consensus on the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of ASD has not been reached [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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GC1f Vitamin D Binding Protein Isoform as a Marker of Severity in Autism Spectrum Disorders

et al. 2022

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Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical, behavioral, and cognitive manifestations. It is, therefore, crucial to investigate possible biomarkers associated with specific ASD phenotypes. Ample literature suggests a possible role for vitamin D (VD) in influencing ASD clinical phenotypes. We analyzed three vitamin D binding protein gene (DBP) functional polymorphisms (rs2282679, rs7041, and rs4588), which are involved in the modulation of vitamin D serum concentration in 309 ASD children and 831 healthy controls. Frequency comparisons of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) alleles, genotypes, and GC isoforms (GC1f, G1s, and GC2)—generated by the combination of rs7041 and rs4588 alleles—were correlated with ASD diagnostic, behavioral, and functioning scales. The GC1f isoform was significantly more frequent in ASD compared with controls (18.6% vs. 14.5% pc = 0.02). Significantly higher scores for item 15 of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and lower ones for the Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) functioning scales were seen in ASD carrying the GC1f isoform. In GC phenotype analysis, a gradient of severity for overall CARS scores and CARS item 15 was observed, with scores decreasing according to the presence of GC1f-GC1f > GC1f-GC1s > GC1s-GC1s > GC1f-GC2 > GC2-GC2 isoforms. Similarly, lower CGAS scores were seen in carriers of the GC1f-GC1f isoform, whereas higher scores were present in those carrying GC2-GC2 (p = 0.028). This is the first study to evaluate possible relationships between GC variants and the different aspects of ASD in Italian ASD children. Results, although needing to be validated in ampler cohorts, suggest that the GC1f isoform could be a marker of severity in ASD that may be useful in establishing the intensity of therapeutic and rehabilitative protocols.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

GC1f Vitamin D Binding Protein Isoform as a Marker of Severity in Autism Spectrum Disorders

et al. 2022

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“…Several of the vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients in ANRC-EP have individually been investigated and found to be beneficial in children and/or adults with ASD in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. These include studies of Methyl-B12, folinic acid, and trimethylglycine (TMG) [ 6 , 7 , 26 ], high dose folinic acid [ 27 , 28 ], high dose vitamin B6 with magnesium [ 29 ], vitamin D [ 30 – 32 ], high-dose carnitine [ 33 , 34 ], CoQ10 [ 35 ], and high-dose Vitamin C [ 13 , 36 ]. Similarly, Open-label trials of vitamin/mineral supplementation for ASD have reported benefits for vitamin A [ 37 ], iron [ 16 ] and zinc [ 15 ], in children with ASD, and a case study of high dose biotin [ 38 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin/mineral/micronutrient supplement for autism spectrum disorders: a research survey

et al. 2022

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Background Vitamin and mineral supplements are widely used by children and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several studies have reported benefits of such supplements in resolving nutritional deficiencies, treating various metabolic problems and improving symptoms and overall quality of life. Methods This research survey collected evaluations from 161 people about the effectiveness of ANRC-Essentials Plus (ANRC-EP), a vitamin/mineral/micronutrient supplement designed for children and adults with autism. Although this was an open-label survey, results were compared with a three-month randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study of an earlier version of the supplement. Evaluations included the Parent Global Impressions of Autism (PGIA) and the Overall Benefit/Adverse Effect scale of the National Survey on Treatment Effectiveness for Autism (NSTEA). Results The participants reported substantially higher Average PGIA Scores than the placebo group in a similar previous study, with an estimated effect size of 0.66. Based on the NSTEA questionnaire, 73% of participants rated the Overall Benefit as Moderate, Good, or Great, with scores that were substantially higher than the NSTEA study found for multi-vitamins, the average of 58 nutraceuticals, and the average of 28 psychiatric and seizure medications. The Overall Adverse Effect score was low (0.25/3.0), similar or slightly higher than other nutraceuticals, and much lower than the average of 28 psychiatric and seizure medications (0.9/3.0). Sub-analysis found that the Overall Benefit of ANRC-EP was not significantly affected by gender, age, autism severity, diet quality, self-limited diet, use of psychiatric or seizure medications, dosage, developmental history, intellectual disability, or seizures. This indicates that ANRC-EP may be beneficial for a wide range of children and adults with ASD. A limitation of this study is the retrospective nature of the survey, and that participants who had good benefits were more likely to respond. Conclusions This study found that ANRC-EP had significant benefits for a wide range of symptoms, and low adverse effects.

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“…Such patterns can be cause by GI issues such as gastroesophageal reflux [ 62 ], avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder [ 88 ] and/or food allergies causing GI inflammation such as eosinophilic esophagitis [ 89 ]. Second, children with ASD are known to be susceptible to vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies, including vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency [ 90 ], vitamin A, cobalamin, zinc and iron deficiency [ 91 ], which can sometimes be secondary to avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder [ 92 ] and can be related to ASD severity [ 91 ]. Thus, the evaluation of the dietary intake is twofold, both to ensure proper nutrition is being consumed and to assure that the child is not being exposed to substances that they might be allergic or sensitive to.…”

Section: Specific Factors To Address In Autism Spectrum Disordermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Treatment of nutritional deficiencies can be straightforward, while implementing dietary changes can be complicated by behavioral problems [ 28 ]. Preliminary studies suggest that vitamin D [ 90 ] and/or zinc [ 107 ] supplementation might improve ASD symptoms. Treatment of metabolic disorders can be complex [ 108 ] and should be managed by a specialist.…”

Section: Specific Factors To Address In Autism Spectrum Disordermentioning

confidence: 99%

A Personalized Multidisciplinary Approach to Evaluating and Treating Autism Spectrum Disorder

Frye

2022

JPM

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder without a known cure. Current standard-of-care treatments focus on addressing core symptoms directly but have provided limited benefits. In many cases, individuals with ASD have abnormalities in multiple organs, including the brain, immune and gastrointestinal system, and multiple physiological systems including redox and metabolic systems. Additionally, multiple aspects of the environment can adversely affect children with ASD including the sensory environment, psychosocial stress, dietary limitations and exposures to allergens and toxicants. Although it is not clear whether these medical abnormalities and environmental factors are related to the etiology of ASD, there is evidence that many of these factors can modulate ASD symptoms, making them a potential treatment target for improving core and associated ASD-related symptoms and improving functional limitation. Additionally, addressing underlying biological disturbances that drive pathophysiology has the potential to be disease modifying. This article describes a systematic approach using clinical history and biomarkers to personalize medical treatment for children with ASD. This approach is medically comprehensive, making it attractive for a multidisciplinary approach. By concentrating on treatable conditions in ASD, it is possible to improve functional ability and quality of life, thus providing optimal outcomes.

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The Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review

Cited by 22 publications

References 90 publications

GC1f Vitamin D Binding Protein Isoform as a Marker of Severity in Autism Spectrum Disorders

GC1f Vitamin D Binding Protein Isoform as a Marker of Severity in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Vitamin/mineral/micronutrient supplement for autism spectrum disorders: a research survey

A Personalized Multidisciplinary Approach to Evaluating and Treating Autism Spectrum Disorder

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