Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42234108›Full record

SynthesisEuropean child & adolescent psychiatry2026

The impact of maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy and risk of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis and symptoms in offspring: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

Laura Bandini, Beatrice Vinceti, Teresa Urbano, Giuseppe Plazzi, Tommaso Filippini, Marco Vinceti

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in European child & adolescent psychiatry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Laura BandiniDepartment of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, Modena, 41125, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6679-7401
Beatrice VincetiDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-0105-2121
Teresa UrbanoEnvironmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1490-5508
Giuseppe PlazziDepartment of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, Modena, 41125, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1051-0472
Tommaso FilippiniEnvironmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2100-0344
Marco VincetiDepartment of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, Modena, 41125, Italy. marco.vinceti@unimore.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0551-2473

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have a complex etiology involving both genetic and environmental factors, with mechanisms still unclear. In this review, we investigated the association between maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D status during pregnancy and the risk of diagnosis and symptoms of ASD and ADHD in offspring in developmental age.

methodsWe searched online databases up to February 13, 2026. We conducted a quantitative meta-analysis by comparing the exposure categories and using a dose-response approach across the entire exposure range.

resultsWe included 15 eligible studies: 8 related to ASD and ASD symptoms, 5 related to ADHD and ADHD symptoms, and 2 to both. Comparing high versus low maternal vitamin D status, we found an inverse association with both lower ASD risk (RR = 0.91; 95% CI 0.87-0.96) and ADHD risk (RR = 0.90; 95% CI 0.82-0.99). In the dose-response pooled analysis, ASD risk linearly decreased by 9% for every 10 nmol/L increase in maternal serum vitamin D levels. Higher vitamin D levels were also inversely associated with ADHD symptoms, though estimates were statistically imprecise due to the limited number of studies.

conclusionsHigher vitamin D status during pregnancy appears to be linearly associated with a reduced risk of ASD and ADHD diagnoses and symptoms in offspring, with no evidence of thresholds across the investigated exposure range. These findings suggest the opportunity to assess vitamin D levels during pregnancy, and to consider its supplementation in deficiency cases, to support fetal brain development and promote neuroprotection.

Indexed as

Attention Deficit Disorder with HyperactivityAutism Spectrum DisorderPrenatal Exposure Delayed EffectsVitamin DVitamin D DeficiencyChildFemaleHumansPregnancyRisk Factors25-hydroxyvitamin DVitamin DAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderAutismAutism spectrum disorderNeurodevelopmental disordersPregnancyVitamin D

Identifiers

PMID42234108
PMCPMC13427813

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.