Autism spectrum disorder and vitamin D status: A cross-sectional study of children in a developing country in Southeast Asia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2021

Abstract

Background: Determine the prevalence and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency (<35 nmol/L) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); and explore the association between vitamin D deficiency with ASD severity and behavioural symptoms. Method: Cross-sectional study of children with ASD at a tertiary hospital. Children with vitamin D deficiency (<35.0 nmol/L) were treated (1200IU cholecalciferol, daily for 3 months). ASD severity was determined via the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, 2nd Edition (CARS-2); and behavioural symptoms via the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist, 2nd Edition (ABC-2). Scores were compared between the vitamin D deficient and non-deficient groups. Results: There were 103 participants (85.4 % male). Mean age: 6.2 years (SD = 2.4), 19 % were vitamin D deficient and 42 % were insufficient. Mean vitamin D concentration was 45.8 nmol/L (SD = 13.5). Female gender was significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency (OR 5.05, 95 % CI: 1.56, 16.31, p = 0.007). Post-vitamin D treatment, there was a significant reduction in CARS-2 scores (p < 0.05), but not ABC-2 scores. Conclusions: Nearly two-thirds (61 %) of Malaysian children with ASD have vitamin D deficiency (19 %) and insufficiency (42 %). Vitamin D treatment among vitamin D deficient children with ASD resulted in improvement in ASD symptom severity but not behavioural symptoms.

Keywords

Autism, Vitamin D, Children, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Aberrant Behaviour Checklist

Publication Title

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Divisions

fac_med

Funders

University Malaya Specialist Centre (UMSC CARE Fund) (PV017-2018)

Volume

84

Publisher

Elsevier Sci Ltd

Publisher Location

THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, OXON, ENGLAND

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