Vitamin D to Prevent Autism in Newborn Siblings

Study of Vitamin D to Prevent Autism in Newborn Siblings

The purpose of this study is to determine whether by administering vitamin D to mothers who already have at least one child with autism and who are pregnant, that the vitamin D will prevent the recurrence of autism in the newborn sibling.

The incidence of autism is increasing. Also, women of childbearing age are increasingly found to be insufficient/deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D is a neurohormone which is important for development of the child, especially of the child's brain. The primary source of vitamin D is from the sun through one's skin. People have been avoiding the sun because of skin cancer, because of increasing Television watching, computer viewing and wearing clothes that cover most of the body. This approach will study whether making the pregnant mother, whose child is at risk for autism because of a previous child with autism, replete with vitamin D will prevent that recurrence of autism in the newborn sibling.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant mothers who have had at least one child with autism spectrum disorder

Exclusion Criteria:

• Child with autism must not be from a syndrome such as Fragile X syndrome, Retts Syndrome
• Mother must be before the third trimester