Vitamin D concern for mums-to-be

LEARNING disabilities are more common in children who were conceived between January and March, new research by Glasgow University has found.

A study of more than 800,000 Scottish school children showed 8.9 per cent of those conceived in the first quarter of the year had learning disabilities compared to 7.6 per cent of those conceived between July and September.

Scientists believe vitamin D deficiency in mothers-to-be could explain the trend. The UK does not receive enough sunlight in January, February and March for pregnant women to produce the vitamin proven to be important for brain development.

The study, carried out in collaboration with Cambridge University, the NHS and the Scottish Government, found the seasonal differences related to autism, intellectual difficulties and learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

The children in the research were born before 2012 guidelines advising all pregnant women to take vitamin D supplements to prevent other conditions, such as rickets.

Professor Jill Pell, director of Glasgow’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing, added: “It is important that pregnant women take vitamin D supplements and also that they start supplements as early in pregnancy as possible – ideally when they are trying to get pregnant.”