A new clinical trial shows that taking 300 IU vitamin D3 per kilogram daily for 4 months significantly improves autism symptoms in children 3-10 years-old. A total of 109 children with autism (85 boys and 24 girls) with normal vitamin D levels were randomly assigned to receive vitamin D3 or placebo for 4 months. At the end of the treatment period, Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores significantly improved for children in the vitamin D group, with average scores decreasing by about 6.5 points in those receiving vitamin D. The CARS scores evaluated many factors, including emotional response, relating to people, body use, listening response, visual response, imitation, adaptation to change, and general autistic impression. Vitamin D was well-tolerated with few side effects.
Saad K, Abdel-Rahman AA, Elserogy YM, et al. Randomized controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation in children with autism spectrum disorder. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2016 Nov 21.
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