Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42189368›Full record

ArticleJournal of autism and developmental disorders2026

Vitamin D in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Critical Systematic Review of Evidence and Methodological Limitations.

Sonja Claussen, Sandra Pahr-Hosbach

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Sonja ClaussenIU University of Applied Science, Bad Reichenhall, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-4661-3652
Sandra Pahr-HosbachIU University of Applied Science - Distance Learning, Kaiserplatz 1, 83435, Bad Reichenhall, Germany. sandra.pahr-hosbach@iu.org.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2854-956X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVitamin D is discussed in neurodevelopmental and immune pathways relevant to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This systematic review synthesizes evidence on serum vitamin D status and vitamin D supplementation outcomes in children and adolescents with ASD, with descriptive reporting of one combined vitamin D plus omega-3 arm for context only.

methodsPubMed was searched on 16 August 2024 for observational studies reporting serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of vitamin D supplementation; the primary narrative synthesis of trial evidence was restricted to double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with the maximum Jadad score (5/5).

resultsEight observational studies met inclusion criteria. Most reported lower 25(OH)D in children with ASD compared with comparator groups, while neonatal findings were mixed across cohorts. Among three placebo-controlled RCTs, one high-dose study reported statistically significant improvements on symptom scales, whereas trials using 2,000 IU/day reported marginal or no effects on ASD-related outcomes. One combined vitamin D plus omega-3 trial arm is summarized descriptively for context.

conclusionCurrent evidence does not support vitamin D supplementation as a general ASD-targeted intervention. Larger, well-controlled trials with prespecified baseline status, standardized outcomes, and safety-focused follow-up are needed to clarify potential subgroup effects and clinical relevance.

Indexed as

25-hydroxyvitamin DASDAutism spectrum disorderCholecalciferolSystematic reviewVitamin D

Identifiers

PMID42189368

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.