A study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy may improve memory performance in children at age 10.
Study Overview
A randomized controlled trial, part of the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood 2010, investigated the effects of prenatal vitamin D3 on cognitive development.
Methods
623 pregnant women were randomized to receive either high-dose vitamin D3 (2,800 IU/day) or standard-dose vitamin D3 from pregnancy week 24 to 1 week postpartum. Cognitive performance of 498 children (247 exposed to high-dose, 251 to standard-dose) was assessed at age 10 using validated neuropsychological tests.
Results
- Positive association between high-dose vitamin D3 and verbal memory and visual memory was observed. An association with cognitive flexibility was noted but was not significant after multiple test corrections.
- The associations were not modified by sex, maternal pre-supplementation vitamin D levels, children's vitamin D levels at 6 months or 6 years, or omega-3 supplementation.
- Results remained significant after accounting for ADHD status.
Conclusions
Prenatal vitamin D3 supplementation may improve memory performance in middle childhood. The effect appears to be independent of postnatal vitamin D levels, suggesting a critical developmental window in utero.
The authors note the need for further research due to the post hoc nature of the analysis, high baseline vitamin D levels in participants, and limited generalizability to other populations.