Overview

• Higher maternal vitamin D in early pregnancy is associated with better fluid cognitive performance, including problem-solving and information processing, in children aged 7 to 12.
• No significant relationship was found between prenatal vitamin D levels and crystallized skills such as vocabulary.
• The vitamin D–cognition link was strongest among children of Black mothers, reflecting underlying disparities in maternal vitamin D status.
• Researchers identified early gestation as the most influential period for vitamin D’s impact on long-term brain development.
• Investigators recommend enhanced prenatal screening and clinical trials to establish optimal vitamin D dosing and timing during pregnancy.