Moreover, children with ASD are at an increased risk of developing vitamin D deficiency, perhaps due to environmental factors. It has also been proposed that vitamin D3 deficiency can induce ASD symptoms. Investigators have reported a case of a 32-month-old boy with ASD and vitamin D3 deficiency.

The results of the case report revealed that there was a significant improvement in core symptoms of autism after vitamin D3 supplementation.

"Vitamin D3 play a significant role in the etiology of ASD, emphasizing the importance of clinical assessment of vitamin D3 deficiency and the necessity for vitamin D3 supplementation in case of deficiency "

The investigators therefore concluded that vitamin D3 play a significant role in the etiology of ASD, emphasizing the importance of clinical assessment of vitamin D3 deficiency and the necessity for vitamin D3 supplementation in case of deficiency.

Source: Jia F, Wang B, Shan L, Xu Z, Staal WG, Du L. Core symptoms of autism improved after vitamin D supplementation. Pediatrics. 2015 Jan;135(1):e196-8.