Continuous Vitamin D3 Supplementation Effectively Improves the Low Vitamin D Status in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Background: We previously showed that vitamin D supplementation might ameliorate typical clinical symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study we examined the effects on serum vitamin D status in ASD children of discontinuation of vitamin D3 supplementation after 9 months. Methods: We enrolled 5 male and 1 female Japanese children with ASD and 5 male typically developing children, all aged 3 years. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D, calcitroic acid and vitamin D binding protein were measured at 4months after the end of supplementation with oral vitamin D3 oil (2μg/day of vitamin D3, corresponding to twice the daily requirement) for 9 months. Results: The 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels were ≥30 ng/mL (sufficient) in 1 child, >20 ng/mL and Conclusion: These findings show that continuous vitamin D3 supplementation is effective for ameliorating clinical symptom in children with ASD.