Author(s):
Ashwija Shetty, Dinesh Upadhya, Somashekar Shetty, Shivakumar Reddy, Pugazhandhi Bhaktavatchalam, Ranita Ghosh Dastidar, Lalu Krishna KN, Purnima Adhikari, Nandini Bhat, Suhani Sumalatha, Surendran Sudarshan
Email(s):
anat.sudarshan@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2025.00852 
Address:
Ashwija Shetty1, Dinesh Upadhya2, Somashekar Shetty3, Shivakumar Reddy2, Pugazhandhi Bhaktavatchalam4, Ranita Ghosh Dastidar5, Lalu Krishna KN6, Purnima Adhikari1, Nandini Bhat1, Suhani Sumalatha1, Surendran Sudarshan7*
1Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576104, Karnataka, India.
2Centre for Molecular Neurosciences, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576104, Karnataka, India.
3Department of Biochemistry, Windsor University School of Medicine, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies. 4Department of Anatomy and Physiology,
American University of Antigua, Coolidge, St John’s, Antigua West Indies.
5Department of Biochemistry, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal.
6Department of Anatomy, Manipal University College of Malaysia, Melaka Campus.
7Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, American University of Antigua College of Medicine,
Published In:
Volume - 18,
Issue - 12,
Year - 2025
ABSTRACT:
Introduction: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin present in two isoforms: vitamin D3 and D2. Along with many essential functions, it also acts as a neurosteroid that plays a vital role in brain development and functioning. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is globally seen as associated with risk factors resulting in multiorgan dysfunctions and disorders. The need and demand for nutrition increases during pregnancy and lactation, and a lack of it hampers fetal growth. This review aims to investigate the association between maternal vitamin D levels and the neurodevelopmental health of the offspring. Materials and methods: This review utilised articles published in PubMed and Scopus from 2010 onwards, using specific keywords: maternal, vitamin D deficiency, and neurodevelopment. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses and non-English literature were excluded. A total of 98 articles were retrieved for the review. Discussion: Varying rates of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy were noticed globally based on geography, race, income, and education. The impact of vitamin D deficiency leading to cognitive disorders such as Schizophrenia, specifically found to be associated with a decrease in GABAergic interneurons, was also reported by various authors. Cortical thickening, decreased surface area of the brain, and decreased expression of GAD proteins associated with VDD have also been reported recently. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a host of various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia. This necessitates the importance of ensuring adequate maternal vitamin D levels to support offspring's cognitive and psychological well-being, thereby fostering healthier communities.
Cite this article:
Ashwija Shetty, Dinesh Upadhya, Somashekar Shetty, Shivakumar Reddy, Pugazhandhi Bhaktavatchalam, Ranita Ghosh Dastidar, Lalu Krishna KN, Purnima Adhikari, Nandini Bhat, Suhani Sumalatha, Surendran Sudarshan. Maternal Vitamin D Status and Neurodevelopmental Health-Exploring the Journey from Womb to Brain. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2025;18(12):5899-5. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2025.00852
Cite(Electronic):
Ashwija Shetty, Dinesh Upadhya, Somashekar Shetty, Shivakumar Reddy, Pugazhandhi Bhaktavatchalam, Ranita Ghosh Dastidar, Lalu Krishna KN, Purnima Adhikari, Nandini Bhat, Suhani Sumalatha, Surendran Sudarshan. Maternal Vitamin D Status and Neurodevelopmental Health-Exploring the Journey from Womb to Brain. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2025;18(12):5899-5. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2025.00852 Available on: https://www.rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2025-18-12-42
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