Disability: Link to vitamin D deficiency in winter

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 found the seasonal differences related to autism, intellectual difficulties and learning difficulties such as dyslexia.