Babies with low vitamin D levels twice as likely to develop schizophrenia

Washington, Sep 08 (ANI): A new research has found that babies born with low vitamin D levels are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia later in life.

But the researchers from the Queensland Brain Institute say the good news from the study is that it suggests it may be possible to prevent schizophrenia.

"For the babies who had very low vitamin D, their risk was about twice as high as those babies who had optimal vitamin D," Discovery quoted John McGrath of the Institute as saying.

While the simplest way to get enough vitamin D is to spend more time in the sun, it remains unclear whether there are fewer cases of schizophrenia in a country like Australia, which sees a lot more sunlight.

Vitamin D supplements may prove an effective way to prevent schizophrenia. But McGrath agrees there is only a statistical link at the moment and that does not prove vitamin D deficiencies are to blame for schizophrenia.

Even if vitamin D does make a difference, there are several other factors that may play a part.

A predisposition to the illness can run in families, chemical imbalances in the brain may be responsible and stressful events are often thought to play a role in the onset of the schizophrenia. (ANI)