Low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) in children with autism.

OBJECTIVE To confirm previous evidence suggesting an association between autism and low vitamin D serum levels. METHODS This preliminary exploratory study assessed the circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) in pediatric patients with autism and in typically developing controls from Juiz de Fora, Brazil. RESULTS Serum levels of 25-OHD were lower in children with autism (26.48 ± 3.48 ng mL-1) when compared to typically developing subjects (40.52 ± 3.13 ng mL-1) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our findings attest to the importance of vitamin supplementation during pregnancy and in the treatment of children with autism, who tend to present low vitamin D consumption rates.