Vitamin d in the general population of young adults with autism in the faroe islands.

Vitamin D deficiencyhas been proposed as a possible risk factor for developing autism spectrum disorder ( ASD). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels were examined in a cross-sectional population-based study in the Faroe Islands. The case group consisting of a total population cohort of 40 individuals with ASD(aged 15–24 years) had significantly lower 25(OH)D3 than their 62 typically-developing siblings and their 77 parents, and also significantly lower than 40 healthy age and gender matched comparisons. There was a trend for males having lower 25(OH)D3 than females. Effects of age, month/ seasonof birth, IQ, various subcategoriesof ASDand Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedulescore were also investigated, however, no association was found. The very low 25(OH)D3 in the ASDgroup suggests some underlying pathogenic mechanism.