Skip to main content

Higher Childhood Vitamin D Dose May Cut Risk for Later Psychiatric Problems

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2023 -- Higher doses of vitamin D3 supplementation up to age 2 years are associated with a decreased risk for internalizing problems in later childhood, according to a study published online May 19 in JAMA Network Open.

Samuel Sandboge, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Tampere in Finland, and colleagues conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial of 346 children to assess the impact of high-dose (1,200 IU) versus standard-dose (400 IU) vitamin D3 supplementation during the first two years of life on psychiatric symptoms at ages 6 to 8 years.

The researchers found that clinically significant internalizing problems occurred in 5.6 percent of participants in the 1,200-IU group versus 11.8 percent in the 400-IU group (odds ratio, 0.40), when adjusting for sex, birth season, maternal depressive symptoms at birth, and parental single status at follow-up. Among 48 children in the 400-IU group with maternal 25(OH)D concentrations <30 ng/mL, higher internalizing problems scores were seen compared with children in the 1,200-IU group, including 44 children with maternal 25(OH)D concentrations <30 ng/mL (adjusted mean difference, 0.49) and 91 children with maternal concentrations >30 ng/mL (adjusted mean difference, 0.37). No differences were seen between the groups for externalizing or total problems.

"This should be interpreted cautiously, however, and be considered only as hypothesis generating given the absence of interactions between maternal 25(OH)D level and supplementation status," the authors write.

One author reported receiving grants from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Abstract/Full Text

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Stigma Affects Quality of Life in Children With Chronic Skin Conditions

TUESDAY, April 30, 2024 -- Health care professionals should consider stigmatization and bullying in assessing the social and mental health of children and adolescents with chronic...

Mental, Social Disturbances Increased for Children With Prior Concussion

MONDAY, April 29, 2024 -- The rate of mental and social disturbances is higher for U.S. children with prior concussion or brain injury symptoms/diagnosis, according to a study...

Warning Letters Can Reduce Quetiapine Overprescribing

MONDAY, April 29, 2024 -- For patients with dementia, letters warning primary care physicians (PCPs) regarding overprescribing can reduce quetiapine prescriptions, according to a...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.