Oregon Health and Science University study links vitamin C to infant emotional development

A study conducted by researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), published in the journal Developmental Psychology, has identified a link between vitamin C intake during pregnancy and the emotional development of infants.

Analyzing data from over 300 pregnant women, researchers found that infants whose mothers experienced high stress levels and had lower vitamin C intake were more likely to exhibit negative emotions, such as irritability and fussiness, at six months of age. These early signs can be indicators of future mental health challenges.

The study suggests that vitamin C supplements may play a protective role in fetal brain development, particularly in environments characterized by high maternal stress. While vitamin C is found in fruits and vegetables, approximately one-quarter of pregnant women in the United States do not meet the recommended intake levels, often due to financial or geographic barriers to fresh food.

Elinor Sullivan, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at OHSU, noted that because vitamin C supplements are inexpensive and easy to access, nutritional intervention could serve as a modifiable way to support long-term child and family well-being.