Multiple Sclerosis (MS) risk increased by Vit D deficiency during pregnancy

Surprising study from Finland: Not only Vit D deficiency in adulthood is associated with an increased Multiple Sclerosis risk. Children of mothers suffering from vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy might have 2-fold increased risk of Multiple sclerosis (MS), too.

What We Know So Far

Many studies in the past showed the link between Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis. More info her:

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The New Study

Researcher from Finland conducted a study to investigate the effect of maternal vit D deficiency. They included 193 individuals with a diagnosis of MS and had a look if their mothers had vit D deficiency during pregnancy or not. 163 were female. The control group included 331 healthy individuals.

The Results

The researchers could associate the risk of MS with maternal vit D levels during early pregnancy.

“Maternal vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D levels <12.02 ng/mL) during early pregnancy was associated with a nearly 2-fold increased risk of MS in the offspring compared with women who did not have deficient 25(OH)D levels.”

The study was published in the journal JAMA Neurology on March 07, 2016

Conclusion

This study supports the important role of vit D in MS. However, more data is necessary to give recommendations about vit D supplementation during pregnancy.

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Reference

JAMA Neurology