The important role of vitamin D in early development is the focus of research that has uncovered links between vitamin D levels and healthy growth of the baby during pregnancy
The research, published today in Pediatrics, analysed the mothers' vitamin D levels during early pregnancy and the long term impact on their child's development.
Using long range data from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study, a team of researchers looked at whether vitamin D levels in expectant mums in the period 1989-91 had any influence on the development of their children's brain, bones and lungs up to 20 years of age.
Lead Author, The Kids Research Institute Australia Professor Prue Hart says the research, thanks to the Raine Study data, provides valuable insight into the impact of vitamin D across lifelong development.
"We were able to look at the vitamin D levels of over 900 mums when they were 18 weeks pregnant and then follow the progress of their children from birth up to their early 20's. This is a study of key importance that gives us a detailed snapshot of development over a long period of time in relation to vitamin D at the early stages of pregnancy." said Professor Hart.