Compensating Vitamin D Deficiency - Research Paper Example

Maternal Vitamin D and Brain Development Introduction The need for compensating Vitamin D deficiency in United States has alerted the scientific and medical research organizations for finding a viable solution to the prevalent deficiency of this supplement, particularly in the Afro-American population of the nation. Accordingly, various research studies aim at finding the dietary reference intake standards for adults in USA. In addition, the medical and health-care professionals have recognized the need for increasing the Vitamin D intake in Western countries’ population from the current levels to match it with the Vitamin D consumption by people in countries blessed with continuous sunshine. However, scientists are conducting further studies to find the maximum possible quantity of Vitamin D intake for pregnant and lactating mothers, while considering any possible side effects of its higher dose intake. Nevertheless, it is an established fact that this supplement helps in the development of skeletal and brain of the fetus, during pregnancy without any malfunction. This paper shall discuss about various aspects of vitamin D connection with brain development of the child. Benefits of Vitamin D While deficiency of Vitamin D is common in female population of countries with less sunshine, it is more evident in women with darker skin pigmentation.. In addition, research has found that 9.2 percent females are having such deficiency against the 6.6 percent males. The benefits of Vitamin D intake during pregnancy include helping in development of strong bone structure, as its deficiency results in reduced bone mineral content for the newborn. Chances of miscarriage are reduced with intake of Vitamin D that produces immunological changes in the mother, during early stages of pregnancy. In addition, medical research has found a link between Vitamin D and medical abnormalities like schizophrenia, as its deficiency can effect the normal brain development causing such kind of malfunction during adulthood.(Hollis & Wagner, 2014) Research has also collected evidence that Vitamin D intake during pregnancy can help in preventing the development of immunological diseases like asthma, wheezing, allergic infections, diabetes and respiratory tract infections, after the child grows into adulthood. Skull bones are also strengthened by the intake of this supplement as its deficiency means week skull bone structure that can cause brain injury at the time of delivery. Several epidemiological studies suggest that while Vitamin D deficiency is common in almost all pregnancies, it is more prevalent in black women, as they represent 29 percent of the total females having low intake of Vitamin D, against 5 percent of white women. However, latitude difference has also a relationship with Vitamin D deficiency. Intake of Vitamin D can result in prevention of preeclampsia, which causes miscarriages. Deficiency of this supplement is related to development of bacterial vaginosis that also causes miscarriage, during early pregnancy. However, the maximum benefit of Vitamin D intake is the resulting sufficient concentration of this health supplement in breast milk, which is essential for healthy growth of the child. Following discussions provide an insight into the malfunctions caused by Vitamin D deficiency. Development of brain Nuclear hormone receptor of Vitamin D (VDR) is found to regulate nervous system development and gene expression. Children born from mothers having such deficiency during pregnancy can have life-long behavioral abnormalities due to defective structure and function of brain. While the deficiency of this supplement during pregnancy is responsible for development of schizophrenia, the excess intake of it can also cause harm. Healthy bone structure Research studies have found evidence towards intake of Vitamin D in sufficient quantity being responsible for development of healthy bone structure during infancy. The results seen during different stages of pregnancy, through ultra scan and other methods have verified such evidence. Various research studies conducted independently have recommended Vitamin D daily intake of 4000 IU for reducing the risk of causing above-mentioned malfunctions during pregnancy or lactation. (Morse) Maternal Vitamin D deficiency and brain neurogenesis As Vitamin D is important for the pregnant and lactating mothers, its deficiency can alter brain function and structure of the child in a significant manner. As receptor for Vitamin D is concentrated in the subventricular zone of the brain, this supplement can regulate the development of brain through cell proliferation. Experiments conducted on rat females with deficient vitamin D presence during pregnancy have shown increase in number of such cells in the brain, which resulted in altered gene expression. However, after the induction of Vitamin D, the cell proliferation was considerably reduced. This means that brain neurogenesis has direct relation with maternal Vitamin D intake, as taking sufficient permissible quantity of this supplement can produce healthy gene expression in the brain, thus helping in proper brain development. Research studies suggest that reduced vitamin D intake during gestation results in increase of neurosphere production in cells, while having sufficient quantity of same reduces such production. This clearly indicates that Vitamin D intake for pregnant and lactating mothers is essential for proper brain development of child, during early stages of life and later as younger adult. (Cui et al, 2007) Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can cause infections in the new born As sunlight is the natural source of Vitamin D, people living in higher altitude regions have Vitamin D deficiency particularly during winter months. Results of research conducted by Fatemi et al(2011) provide evidence of several infections found in children and adults who were born during winter and spring months, from January to March. The infections noticed during their research include influenza and rubella, which can pass from pregnant mother to child during the pre-natal stage. This study particularly explored the morphological changes in hippocampus, placenta and pre-frontal cortex during the development of pregnancy, when the expectant mother was suffering from such infection. The study conducted on mice showed significant changes in genes, which are associated with autism, inflammation, hypoxia and schizophrenia. Similarly, morphological abnormalities were evident in the placenta of infected mice. Such abnormalities included the increased presence of immune cells, apart from thrombi. The research found sufficient evidence of increase in the abnormalities such as schizophrenia, for the population born in higher latitude areas, which have cold climate. This study concluded that parental viral infection during early stages of pregnancy could cause morphological changes and genes alteration during later part of pregnancy. The changes are associated with inflammation, apoptosis, hypoxia and immune system response. In addition, the early infection in the pregnant mother was responsible for gene expression changes in PFC and hippocampus of the newborn, at the time of birth and these could persist in the adulthood. (Fatemi et al,nd) Schizophrenia link with Vitamin D deficiency Schwartz (2011) presents the evidence providing direct relation of vitamin D deficiency with schizophrenia in the research paper published in “Medical Hypotheses” journal. The author has stressed that newborns from the pregnancy deliveries of winter and spring months have almost 10 percent increased risk of contacting schizophrenia, at any stage in life. The infections caused by maternal deficiency of Vitamin D, during third semester of pregnancy can result in development of schizophrenia, in the child during younger as well as older adulthood stages. The instance of this risk is found to be nil near the equator, which is relatively sunny region. However, the degree of risk factor increases with increase in the latitude, as temperature reduces considerably. The “maternal infection hypothesis” is connected with the above seasonal linkage of births and schizophrenia, along with the “low Vitamin D hypothesis”. Schwartz has discussed about both of these hypotheses, among others, in the research paper. While discussing about the linkage of diseases like schizophrenia with conditions of expectant mothers, the paper argues that apart from climate related births there is relationship between the disease and people born in urban areas, particularly with thick migrant population. The epidemiological studies have found that mothers having dark skin have reduced exposure to sunshine, which causes Vitamin D deficiency. This paper refers to research conducted on female rats, with such deficiency and their offsprings having impaired memory and learning, apart from having deficient latent inhibition. Referring to a Finish birth cohort study, author informs that feeding Vitamin D supplements to newborns resulted in lesser incidence of schizophrenia in males. While the epidemiological and clinical features of schizophrenia are related with Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant mother and newborn babies, the higher doses of neonatal Vitamin D supplement was also found to increase the risk of this disease. The author has stressed the need for further research in this area, while suggesting that there is an important link between the season of birth and incidence of schizophrenia. Considering the limitations of birth seasonality hypothesis, further research in this area would be beneficial for the medical and epidemiological studies.(Schwartz, 2011) McGrath et al (2010) have argued in their paper, published in “Environment and Schizophrenia” journal, that there is a link between Schizophrenia and Vitamin D deficiency. Basing their findings on the epidemiological evidence, the authors propose that Vitamin D deficiency can lead to increased risk of developing this disease. Their argument is based on the study of diverse epidemiological evidence, which suggests the link between climate and altitude of the region during pregnancy. They suggest that factors such as season of birth along with skin color of the mother are also responsible to influence the incidence of schizophrenia in the newborn, at a later stage. The paper further informs that experiments done on animals indicate an association of transient prenatal hypovitaminosis D with the structure and function of brain. The evidence of alteration in dopaminergic function is also reported due to this association. In addition, the variation in factors such as birth season and place along with migrant status of the expectant mother also change the risk level of schizophrenia development. Their article has studied the developmental Vitamin D deficiency and its effects over the last ten years. This deficiency alters the mental behavior and cellular neurotransmission, which can lead to the risk of developing schizophrenia, at any stage in life.(McGrath, 2010) Baby brain and Vitamin D Research studies warn that children of mothers with low levels of Vitamin D have more chances of slow brain development and lower mental skills, as compared to the mothers having sufficient Vitamin D supplements during pregnancy. A research team from the “Center for Research in Environmental Epidemiology”, Spain has concluded in a population related study project that babies born to Vitamin D deficient mothers scored lower points in a mental test, as compared to the children of mothers having sufficient Vitamin D supplements. According to Dr. Eva Morales, leader of the research team, the cumulative effect of these results could lead to undesirable impact on the overall population.(Gray, 2012) Vitamin D receptor in human brain Studying the evidence for presence of Vitamin D receptor (VDR) in human brain, Eyles, et al (2004) argue that low levels of Vitamin D in pregnant mothers and early childhood can cause brain diseases such as multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia. Presenting their research study paper, the authors have tried to confirm the presence of VDR in human brain and map its distribution in different regions of the brain. The discussion of the research study suggested that the Vitamin D receptor is present in the adult human brain, as it was observed in the glial and neuronal cells of the brain. The study further informs that Vitamin D may have “neurosteroid” properties. The immunochemical presence of VDR in the human brain suggests that Vitamin D may be responsible for regulation of gene expression in the medulla region, thus confirming the presence of Vitamin D receptor in human brain. Eyles along with other authors presented these findings in the journal of “Chemical Neuroanatomy” during August 2004. (Eyles et al, 2004) Conclusion Maternal vitamin D is an important part of medical therapy for pregnant and lactating mothers. Various research studies have confirmed the link of Vitamin D deficiency with different mental diseases and brain malfunctions such as Schizophrenia, which is the cause of concern for health-care departments, around the world, particularly in the regions with predominant colder climate. The brain development along with the bone structure of brain also has direct relation with Vitamin D intake as VDR plays a major role in these functions during the early and mid semester of pregnancy. In addition, the Vitamin D intake by expectant mother, in sufficient quantity, is responsible for development of healthy bone structure in the newborn, through lactation. Works Cited Cui, Xiaoyang et al, “Maternal Vitamin D depletion alters neurogenesis in the developing rat brain ”, International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 14 March 2007. Web. 09 March 2014 Eyles, W.D. et al, “Distribution of Vitamin D receptor in human brain”, Journal of chemical Neuroanatomy, issue 29 (2005), Elsevier.com Oct. 01, 2004 Web. 09 March 2014 Fatemi, H.S. et al, “The viral theory of schizophrenia revisited”, Neuropharmacology Journalhome page at Elsevier.com, nd. Web. 09 March 2014 Gray, Nathan. “Maternal Vitamin D backed to help build better baby brain”, Research article, Nutra ingredients.com, 18 Sep. 2012. Web. 09 March 2014 Hollis, W.B & Carol, L.W, “Assessment of Dietary Vitamin D Requirements during Pregnancy and Lactation”, Review Article, The American Journal of Nutrition, nd. Web. 09 March 2014 McGrath, J.J. et al. “Developmental Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk of Schizophrenia”, Schizophornia Bulleitien, Vol. 36, ENVIRONMENT AND SCHIZOPHRENIA, 10 Sep. 2010. Web. 09 March 2014 Morse, Nancy. “Benefits of Vitamin D during Pregnancy and Lactation”, Review in Nutrients Journal, 4- 2012, July 24, 2012. Web. 09 March 2014 Schwartz, J. Paul, “Season of birth in schizophrenia”, Medical Hypotheses, Elsevier.com, 10 Feb. 2011 . Web. 09 March 2014 Read More