High Vitamin D levels during pregnancy linked to high IQ in child
By: Team Ifairer | Posted: 04-11-2020
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Of the women who participated in the study, approximately 46 per cent of the mothers were deficient in vitamin D during their pregnancy, and vitamin D levels were lower among Black women compared to White women. The researchers recruited pregnant women to join the study starting in 2006 and collected information over time about their children's health and development.
After controlling for several other factors related to IQ, higher vitamin D levels in pregnancy were associated with higher IQ in children ages 4 to 6 years old. Although observational studies like this one cannot prove causation, the research team believes that the findings have important implications and warrant further research.
"People aren't making up that gap through sun exposure or supplementation, people will probably become deficient," the study author wrote, Foods that contain higher levels of vitamin D include fatty fish, eggs and fortified sources like cow's milk and breakfast cereals. Additional research is needed to determine the optimal levels of vitamin D in pregnancy, but Melough hopes this study will help to develop nutritional recommendations for pregnant women.