Babies conceived in winter prone to learning difficulties

Learning disabilities are more common in children who were conceived between January and March, research in Britain has found.

A study of more than 800,000 children showed 8.9% of those conceived in the first quarter of the year had learning disabilities against 7.6% of those conceived between July and September. Glasgow University scientists believe vitamin D deficiency in mothers-to-be could explain the trend.

They found Britain does not receive enough sunlight in January, February, and March for pregnant women to produce the vitamin proven to be important for brain development.