title: Autism: Will vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and early childhood reduce the recurrence rate of autism in newborn siblings?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitamin D deficiency is widespread in the world including the vulnerable group of pregnant women. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is hypothesized to contribute to the cause of autism. Further, it is hypothesized that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy and early childhood will reduce the recurrence rate of autism in newborn siblings.
  
  
  METHODS
  To investigate the hypothesis an open label prospective study was performed prescribing vitamin D during pregnancy to mothers of children with autism at a dose of 5000IU/day. The newborn siblings were at high risk for the recurrence of autism. The newborn infants were also prescribed vitamin D, 1000IU/day to their third birthday. The newborn siblings were followed for three years and during that time, were assessed for autism on two separate occasions: at 18months and 36months of age. The results were compared to the reported recurrence rates in siblings of autistic children in the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final outcome was 1 out of 19 (5%) developed autism in contrast to the recurrence rate of approximately 20% in the literature. We did not have a control group, nor was there blinding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results are promising, however, this is a preliminary study with very small numbers and was uncontrolled. Further study with larger numbers is indicated. The ethics of prescribing a low dosage of vitamin D such as 400IU D3/day to a control group of mothers in comparison to a large dose such as 5000IU D3/day are problematic in our opinion.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239, United States. Electronic address: stubbsgene@comcast.net.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stubbs
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239, United States.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Henley
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239, United States.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design; D035781:Siblings; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D