Association of cord blood vitamin D with child neurodevelopment at 7 years of age

The role of fetal vitamin D [25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)], one of the nuclear steroid transcription regulators, and brain development is unclear. We previously found a weak but persistent association between cord blood 25(OH)D and child language abilities at 18 months and 4 years of age, but no association with cognition or behaviour. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cord blood 25(OH)D and a range of neurodevelopmental outcomes in these same children at 7 years of age.

Cord blood samples from 250 Australian mother-child pairs were analysed for 25(OH)D by mass spectroscopy. Children underwent tests of cognition, language, academic abilities and executive functions with a trained assessor at 7 years of age. Caregivers completed questionnaires to rate their child's behaviour and executive functioning in the home environment. Associations between standardised 25(OH)D and outcomes were assessed using regression models, taking into account possible social and demographic confounders.

Standardised 25(OH)D in cord blood was not associated with any test or parent-rated scores. Nor was there any association with the risk of having a poor test or parent-rated score. Likewise, cord blood 25(OH)D categorised as <25, 25-50 and >50 nmol/L was not associated with test scores or parent-rated scores.

There was no evidence that cord blood vitamin D concentration or deficiency was associated with cognition, language, academic abilities, executive functioning or behaviour at 7 years of age.