MATERNAL VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AS POTENTIAL RISK FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Currently, there is a great search in the fields of science and medicine in the identification of risk factors associated with autism, characterized by a generalized developmental disorder with unknown etiology. Researchers seek to elucidate the possible correlation of the occurrence of the disorder simultaneously with deficiencies of substances essential to neurodevelopment, especially during the period of pregnancy or at birth. Scientifically, the role of vitamin D for neurodevelopment is recognized. Thus, this study aimed to correlate maternal vitamin D deficiency with the birth of a child with possible autistic occurrence. A literature review was conducted with searches in the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS and Google Scholar databases, considering studies published from 2015 to 2020 using as descriptors: “autistic spectrum disorder”, “TEA”, “hydroxyvitamin D”, “vitamin D”and“autism”. The data showed that low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy and also its deficiency in children with ASD can corroborate as a negative risk for neurodevelopment and, therefore, have a correlation as a risk factor for the development of the autistic spectrum. It was observed that vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy can be one of the viable alternatives, as a prophylactic measure so that the child does not develop autism, as well as supplementation can alleviate the symptoms if the child has already developed the pathology, however, toxicological aspects must be considered. Further studies still need to be carried out to prove the effectiveness of supplementation, toxicological safety and confirmation of the correlation of disability and the development of autism.

 Keywords: ASD; hydroxyvitamin D; pregnancy.