Can maternal vitamin deficiencies lead to cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and keep their balance. It often starts in early childhood and comes from damage to the developing brain. Doctors know that things like lack of oxygen during birth or infections can cause it. But what about vitamin shortages in moms during pregnancy? Some research points to a possible link, though it is not direct or proven for all vitamins.
Vitamins play a big role in how a baby’s brain grows. For example, folate, a B vitamin, helps prevent serious brain and spine problems in newborns. Studies show that moms who take folate supplements during pregnancy may lower the risk of issues like ADHD and autism traits in their kids. One review of over 29,000 people found a 14 percent drop in ADHD odds when moms got enough folate. While this does not mention cerebral palsy exactly, healthy brain growth from folate could help avoid related damage.
Iodine is another key nutrient for brain development. The body cannot make it, and pregnant women need 50 percent more. A study in Ireland found that 60 percent of pregnant women had low iodine levels, even some taking supplements. Low iodine early in pregnancy harms baby brain growth, which might raise risks for conditions like cerebral palsy. Experts say better awareness and sticking to iodine advice could help.
Other shortages, like carnitine, show up in rare cases. Carnitine helps turn fat into energy, and low levels from genetic issues in moms can lead to weak muscles and heart problems in babies. These are not typical vitamin lacks but highlight how nutrient gaps affect development. Carnitine transport problems in families sometimes go unnoticed in moms until newborn tests catch them.
Not all studies tie vitamins straight to cerebral palsy. For instance, magnesium given before birth was once thought to ease cerebral palsy risks but recent work questions that. Brain injuries from low oxygen, a top cerebral palsy cause, link to other factors too, like preterm birth seen more in some pregnancies.
Moms should talk to doctors about prenatal vitamins to cover bases like folate and iodine. Getting the right amounts supports brain health and may cut risks of developmental troubles.
Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12731233/
https://www.medlink.com/articles/primary-carnitine-transporter-deficiency
https://www.adhdevidence.org/blog-tags/pregnancy
https://www.infantcentre.ie/news/
https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/newsroom/news-releases/research?page=all&hits=380
