A recent study by scientists at Marshall University's Joanne Edwards College of Medicine shows that exposure to altered levels of vitamin D and/or thyroid hormones during pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on a child's development even after birth, SciTechDaily reports, citing the journal Biomedicine. & Pharmacotherapy.
A retrospective study was conducted to examine the relationship between the level of 20 different elements, thyroid hormone levels, and vitamin D levels in cord blood collected at birth and the child's developmental stages. The levels were compared with the results of well-baby screenings conducted from birth to 5 years of age.
Delayed motor and cognitive development
Results showed that vitamin D levels were associated with delays in fine motor development and that thyroid hormone levels affected cognitive development rates, while certain minerals such as lead, mercury, copper, and manganese were associated with the development of language, cognitive, or motor skills.
"Very little current research addresses the long-term effects on a child's development of exposure to environmental factors in the womb," said Professor Monica Valentovic, Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Coordinator of the Toxicology Research Group at the Joanne Edwards College of Medicine, noting that cord blood samples were collected. The results of the long-term follow-up, about 10 years, are a significant addition to the medical scientific literature.
The team of researchers continues to investigate growth in children after the age of five, as well as uterine exposure to environmental metals and the effect on newborn growth or health effects related to vitamin D levels.