Vitamin D status during pregnancy and child neurocognitive functioning at 4 Years

Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent during pregnancy and may affect fetal brain development, leading to neurocognitive issues. This study investigated the association between vitamin D levels during pregnancy and children's neurocognitive functioning in 289 mother-child pairs, controlling for confounding variables.

Prenatal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured in the first and third trimesters, and offspring underwent a neurocognitive assessment at age 4 using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV), subtests of the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment-II (NEPSY-II), and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version (BRIEF-P) completed by parents. Socio-demographic data, obstetric information, lifestyle habits, maternal emotional health, and parental intellectual performance were collected.

The adjusted regression models have shown that insufficient 25(OH)D levels throughout pregnancy were associated with poorer Visual-Motor Precision of the NEPSY-II. In the third trimester, inadequate 25(OH)D levels were associated with poorer executive functioning, as indicated by neuropsychological and behavioural assessments. Specifically, lower scores were observed in Working Memory on the WPPSI-IV, as well as in the metacognitive index and Inhibition on the BRIEF-P.

Maintaining adequate prenatal 25(OH)D levels may promote optimal neurocognitive functioning in early childhood.

Inadequate maternal 25(OH)D concentrations throughout pregnancy are associated with lower Visual-Motor Precision in children, and third-trimester deficiency is linked to poorer executive functioning. This study highlights the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels throughout pregnancy. Findings support the implementation of public health strategies to ensure proper vitamin D intake and the monitoring of maternal serum 25(OH)D levels during pregnancy to promote adequate infant neurodevelopment.