---
title: Pregnancy Vitamin D Levels Linked to Child IQ
description: Recent research has shown that a mother’s vitamin D levels during pregnancy are positively associated with their offspring’s IQ scores. We know that vitamin D is critical for neuronal and other embryonic developmental processes that may affect future neurocognitive function. Previous observational studies have found connections between gestational vitamin D levels and neurocognitive outcomes, such as the development of brain disorders like schizophrenia and autism.
---

[Research Forum ](https://info.bioticsresearch.com/researchforum)

# [Pregnancy Vitamin D Levels Linked to Child IQ](https://info.bioticsresearch.com/researchforum/pregnancy-vitamin-d-levels-linked-to-child-iq)

 Written by [The Biotics Research Team](https://info.bioticsresearch.com/researchforum/author/the-biotics-research-team) | May 7, 2021 8:51:02 PM

[Recent research](https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/151/1/132/5951845) has shown that a mother’s vitamin D levels during pregnancy are positively associated with their offspring’s IQ scores.

We know that vitamin D is critical for neuronal and other embryonic developmental processes that may affect future neurocognitive function. Previous observational studies have found connections between gestational vitamin D levels and neurocognitive outcomes, such as the development of brain disorders like [schizophrenia](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12892860) and [autism](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29178513). [Some](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22331333) [cohort](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22987876) [studies](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24967813) have also found a link between vitamin D in pregnancy and IQ during childhood. [Other](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30169669) recent studies, however, have [not supported](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28429909) this connection.

[This new study](https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/151/1/132/5951845) used data on the 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels of 1503 women in their second trimester of pregnancy and neurocognitive development in their children between 4 and 6 years of age. The researchers examined the connections between the second-trimester 25(OH)D and Stanford-Binet IQ scores using a multivariable linear regression. 

[The results showed](https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/151/1/132/5951845) that around 46% of the mothers were deficient in vitamin D during their pregnancy ([normal vitamin D level](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/normal-vitamin-d-levels) is around 20 ng/mL), and levels varied depending on variations in skin color. Due to vitamin D absorption, darker-skinned women had levels with a standard deviation of between 19.8 and 7.2 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), and lighter-skinned women had a standard deviation of between 25.9 and 9.3 ng/mL. In adjusted models, a 10 ng/mL increase in vitamin D saw a 1.17-point higher Full Scale IQ and Verbal IQ, and a 1.03-point higher Nonverbal IQ, with no observed effect modification by skin color.

The scientists leading the study conclude that gestational vitamin D status may be an important predictor of neurocognitive development. These findings could help inform prenatal nutritional recommendations, as screening and supplementation may help with vitamin D deficiency.

Related Biotics Research Products:

[View full post](https://info.bioticsresearch.com/researchforum/pregnancy-vitamin-d-levels-linked-to-child-iq)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "The Biotics Research Team"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2021-05-10T16:29:27.395Z",
  "datePublished" : "2021-05-07T20:51:02Z",
  "headline" : "Pregnancy Vitamin D Levels Linked to Child IQ",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 1414,
    "url" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/4004166/iStock-1160932512.jpg",
    "width" : 2121
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://info.bioticsresearch.com/researchforum/pregnancy-vitamin-d-levels-linked-to-child-iq",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "Research Forum"
  }
}
```