Low Maternal Vitamin D As A Risk Factor
for Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study Using Banked Sera
McGrath J, Eyles D, Mowry B, Yolken R, Buka S.
Schizophrenia Research 2003, Sept
1;63(1-2):73-8
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Evidence from epidemiology suggests
that low maternal vitamin D may be a risk factor for schizophrenia
METHOD: Based on sera taken during the third
trimester, we compared the level of 25 hydroxyvitamin D (3) in mothers of
individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders versus mothers of
unaffected controls. For each case, we selected two controls matched on
race, gender and date of birth of the offspring.
RESULTS: There was no significant
difference in third trimester maternal vitamin D in the entire sample (cases=26,
controls=51). Within the subgroup of black individuals (n=21), there was a
trend level difference in the predicted direction.
CONCLUSIONS: Maternal vitamin D does not
operate as a continuous risk factor for schizophrenia, however, the results in
the black subgroup raise the possibility that below a certain critical
threshold, low levels of maternal vitamin D may be associated with an increased
risk of schizophrenia.