Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in mothers of swedish and of somali origin who have children with and without autism
Abstract
Aim: To analyse serum levels of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D in mothers of Somali origin and those of Swedish origin who have children with and without autism as there is a growing evidence that low vitamin D impacts adversely on brain development. Method: Four groups of mothers were invited to participate; 20 with Somali origin with at least one child with autism, 20 with Somali origin without a child with autism, 20 of Swedish origin with at least one child with autism and 20 with Swedish origin without a child with autism. Two blood samples were collected from each individual; during autumn and spring. Results: Between 12 and 17 mothers from the different groups accepted to participate, both groups of mothers of Somali origin had significantly lower values of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D compared with Swedish mothers. The difference of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D between mothers of Somali origin with and without a child with autism was not significant. Conclusion: Our findings of low vitamin D levels in Somali women entail considerable consequences in a public health perspective. The observed tendency, i.e. the lowest values in mothers of Somali origin with a child with autism was in the predicted direction, supporting the need for further research of vitamin D levels in larger samples of Somali mothers of children with and without autism.
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Fernell et al. (2010) found that more than 60% and 85% of mothers of Somali origin had 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L in spring and autumn, respectively, compared to only one mother of Swedish origin in both seasons.
“More than 60% and 85% of mothers of Somali origin had 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L in spring and autumn, respectively, compared to only one mother of Swedish origin in both seasons.”
From Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review (2016) · cites this paper as [99]
Fernell et al. (2010) is limited by its small sample size and the long time period since pregnancy (average age of more than 4 years).
“This study is limited, however, by its small sample size and the long time period since pregnancy (average age of more than 4 years).”
From Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review (2016) · cites this paper as [99]
Fernell et al. (2010) found that the difference in 25(OH)D concentrations was not significantly different between mothers with and without a child with autism for either ethnicity.
“The difference in 25(OH)D concentrations was not significantly different between mothers with and without a child with autism for either ethnicity.”
From Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review (2016) · cites this paper as [99]
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- Authors
- Fernell, E., Barnevik‐Olsson, M., Bågenholm, G., Gillberg, C., Gustafsson, S., & Sääf, M.
- Affiliations
- Karolinska University Hospital (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Fernell, Elisabeth
- Venue
- Acta Paediatrica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2010-03-29
- Volume
- 99
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 743-747
- ISSN
- 0365-1436 (ISSN-L)
- 0803-5253
- 1651-2227
- OpenAlex
- W2076386762
- Cited by
- 96
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 7.15
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Acta Paediatrica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Stockholms Läns Landsting
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Keywords
- 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, autism spectrum disorder, maternal vitamin D status, immigrant health, brain development, seasonal variation in vitamin D
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Autistic Disorder, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Seasons, Somalia, Sweden, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Prevalence, Case-Control Studies, Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
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