Natural sunlight plus vitamin D supplementation ameliorate delayed early motor development in newborn infants from maternal perinatal depression.

BACKGROUND

Increased cortisol has been shown to be negatively correlated with infant motor development. Sunlight help decrease the level of cortisol. Vitamin D is associated with infant motor development. The present study aimed to determine whether natural sunlight exposure plus vitamin D supplements could ameliorate delayed early motor development in little infants from maternal perinatal depression.

METHODS

The term pregnant women waiting for delivery from the department of gynecology and obstetrics were assessed depressive symptoms by Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). 120 normal and 229 depressed subjects were recruited. During 2 days postpartum, infant motor development were assessed by Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). Infants of 2-day-old in maternal depression group were divided into four groups: control group, conventional vitamin D supplements (400IU/d) group, high dose of vitamin D supplements group (1000IU/d), sunlight plus conventional vitamin D supplement group (400IU/d). Serum and hair cortisol (HairF) in mothers and infants were measured.

RESULTS

The infants of perinatal depressed mothers displayed early motor developmental delay accompanied by increased cortisol. Sunlight plus conventional vitamin D supplement (400IU/d) were better than exclusive vitamin D supplements for the amelioration delayed early motor development in infants (p < 0.05). The infants exposure to sunlight 7-14 h/week plus conventional vitamin D supplement reached the best scores of motor development and the lowest HairF (p < 0.05).

LIMITATIONS: We should have measured the serum 25OH-vitamin D concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Sunlight plus vitamin D supplements could ameliorate delayed early motor development in little infants by decreasing cortisol from perinatal depression.