Higher-Dose Prenatal Vitamin D Linked to Memory Scores

Children exposed to higher-dose prenatal vitamin D scored modestly higher on verbal and visual memory tests at age 10 years, although overall intelligence and most cognitive measures did not differ significantly.

By
Andrea Surnit
June 11, 2026
5 min

MDSpire News

Overview

Higher-dose vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy was associated with higher verbal and visual memory scores among children at age 10 years. No statistically significant differences were observed in estimated intelligence or most other cognitive functions.

Background

Vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy is common and may impact fetal development. This study examines the effects of prenatal vitamin D supplementation on cognitive outcomes.

Data Highlights

Outcome	Higher-Dose Group	Standard-Dose Group
Verbal Memory Score	Higher	Lower
Visual Memory Score	Higher	Lower
Estimated Intelligence Score	~108	~108

Key Findings

Higher-dose vitamin D3 (2,800 IU/d) was associated with higher verbal memory scores (effect size 0.17 SD).
Higher-dose vitamin D3 was associated with higher visual memory scores (effect size 0.24 SD).
No significant differences were found in estimated intelligence or most cognitive functions between the two groups.
Flexibility or set shift showed better performance in the higher-dose group before correction for multiple comparisons.
Maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels at 24 weeks' gestation were not associated with cognitive outcomes.
Findings may not be generalizable due to the cohort's demographic and vitamin D sufficiency status.

Clinical Implications

The findings indicate that higher-dose vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy is associated with higher verbal and visual memory scores in children, but no significant effects on broader cognitive functions were observed.

Conclusion

This study indicates that higher-dose prenatal vitamin D3 may enhance specific memory scores in children, but the overall impact on cognitive function remains limited.