Prenatal Vitamin D, Multivitamin, and Folic Acid Supplementation and Brain Structure in Children with ADHD and ASD Traits: The Generation R Study.

This study followed nearly 4,000 children to see if vitamins taken during pregnancy affected their brain development and ADHD/autism traits. Mothers who took vitamin D, multivitamins, or had better diets during pregnancy had children with fewer ADHD and autism-like behaviors. These children also had larger brain volumes on MRI scans. The brain differences partly explained why better maternal nutrition was linked to fewer behavioral concerns.

Though the effects were small, this suggests prenatal vitamins might support healthy brain development.

This population-based study examined 3,937 children aged 9-11 from the Generation R cohort in Rotterdam, investigating associations between maternal vitamin supplementation during pregnancy and offspring brain structure and neurodevelopmental traits. Researchers assessed maternal vitamin D and folate levels, multivitamin use, and dietary quality during pregnancy, then measured children's brain volumes via MRI and evaluated ADHD/ASD traits through parent questionnaires. Results showed maternal vitamin D, multivitamin supplementation, and better diet quality were associated with fewer ADHD and ASD traits in children. These dietary factors were also linked to larger brain volumes, which partially mediated the relationship with reduced neurodevelopmental traits.

While effect sizes were small, the study suggests prenatal nutrition may influence brain development and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Findings support the importance of adequate prenatal nutrition, particularly vitamin D and multivitamin supplementation, for optimal neurodevelopment. However, small effect sizes indicate supplements are not a primary prevention strategy. Results warrant replication in other populations before clinical recommendations.

Effect sizes were small across all associations. Study design (observational cohort) cannot establish causation. Neurodevelopmental traits measured by parent questionnaires rather than clinical diagnosis. Single population cohort may limit generalizability.

Maternal vitamin supplementation (including folic acid, vitamin D, and multivitamin supplements) during pregnancy may lower the likelihood of neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. This study examines the associations between maternal vitamin suppletion during pregnancy and morphological patterns in offsprings' brain structure and traits of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a large population-based study of child development. The study cohort included a total of 3937 children (aged 9-11) participating in the Generation R cohort in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Maternal vitamin D and folateserum levels, multivitamin supplement use, and overall dietary quality (as assessed by the Food Frequency Questionnaire, FFQ) during pregnancy were used as predictors.

T1 structural MRI scans were acquired and segmented using Freesurfer to assess brain morphometry. Cortical and subcortical brain volumes of children were separated into four independent components and used as mediators. ADHD and ASD traits, as measured by parent-completed questionnaires (Child Behavior CheckList and Social Responsiveness Scale, respectively) were used as outcome variables. Results show that (1) maternal vitamin D, multivitamin supplementation, and better diet quality were associated with fewer ADHD or ASD traits in the offspring; (2) vitamin D and diet quality were associated with larger-volume childhood brain components; (3) larger-volume brain components were associated with fewer ADHD and ASD traits; (4) part of the association between dietary factors in pregnancy and offspring ADHD and ASD traits was mediated through the brain volumes of the children.

Though all observed effect sizes were small, further population-based research should be performed to further delineate the effects of gestational multivitamin and vitamin D exposure and investigate whether this may be an avenue for preventive interventions.