Vitamin D and the perinatal period in women suffering from schizophrenia

Abstract

There is emerging evidence that inadequate levels of vitamin D during the fetal period and early infancy can be a risk-modifying factor for many chronic diseases, including schizophrenia. Offspring of women suffering from schizophrenia have an increased risk of developing the same illness, and these women are often at risk of vitamin D deficiency that can also adversely affect their children during the fetal period and early infancy. In this editorial we discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of routine screening for vitamin D deficiency for the health of children of women with schizophrenia...