Vitamins May Be Linked to Lower Risk for Autism

Autism is still a relatively unknown and misunderstood condition, but a new study may point to a possible connection between prenatal vitamins (or lack thereof) and the disorder.

Researchers out of the University of California, Davis, have published a study in the online journal Epidemiology that followed roughly 700 families with children aged two to five who have autism. The team conducted phone interviews to find out when or if the mothers took vitamins both before and during their pregnancy.

Results showed that women who did not take prenatal vitamins just before becoming pregnant and during their pregnancy had double the chances of having a child with autism than those who did take the vitamins. Mothers who started taking vitamins after finding out they were pregnant (by the second month) had no effect.

The research also looked into women who had a mutation of what’s known as a “high-risk gene” for autism, and discovered that of these women, those who did not take vitamins had seven times the chance of having a baby with a developmental disorder. This specific gene, along with another, have been linked to autism in prior studies.

The study findings seem to indicate the importance of mothers taking vitamins as soon as possible after finding out they are pregnant. For those seeking to becoming pregnant, a doctor may recommend a vitamin treatment plan in advance of conception.

However, because the study relied only on women’s memory of when they took the vitamins, it will be necessary to reproduce the results in another study before any conclusive measure can be drawn. Always consult a doctor before starting any type of supplement program.