Learning issues linked to lack of vitamin D

Study finds disabilities more likely in children conceived between January and March

Learning disabilities are more common in British children who were conceived between January and March, new research has found.

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

Glasgow University 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.

There were no patterns for other causes of learning difficulties such as visual or hearing problems, or physical illness.

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 Gordon Smith, department head of obstetrics and gynaecology at Cambridge, said: “Although the current study did not directly measure vitamin D, it remains perhaps the most plausible explanation for the trend.”