Journal article
Maternal lifestyle and environmental risk factors for autism spectrum disorders
International journal of epidemiology, v 43(2), pp 443-464
01 Apr 2014
PMID: 24518932
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background: Over the past 10 years, research into environmental risk factors for autism has grown dramatically, bringing evidence that an array of non-genetic factors acting during the prenatal period may influence neurodevelopment.
Methods: This paper reviews the evidence on modifiable preconception and/or prenatal factors that have been associated, in some studies, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including nutrition, substance use and exposure to environmental agents. This review is restricted to human studies with at least 50 cases of ASD, having a valid comparison group, conducted within the past decade and focusing on maternal lifestyle or environmental chemicals.
Results: Higher maternal intake of certain nutrients and supplements has been associated with reduction in ASD risk, with the strongest evidence for periconceptional folic acid supplements. Although many investigations have suggested no impact of maternal smoking and alcohol use on ASD, more rigorous exposure assessment is needed. A number of studies have demonstrated significant increases in ASD risk with estimated exposure to air pollution during the prenatal period, particularly for heavy metals and particulate matter. Little research has assessed other persistent and non-persistent organic pollutants in association with ASD specifically.
Conclusions: More work is needed to examine fats, vitamins and other maternal nutrients, as well as endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pesticides, in association with ASD, given sound biological plausibility and evidence regarding other neurodevelopmental deficits. The field can be advanced by large-scale epidemiological studies, attention to critical aetiological windows and how these vary by exposure, and use of biomarkers and other means to understand underlying mechanisms.
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Details
- Title
- Maternal lifestyle and environmental risk factors for autism spectrum disorders
- Creators
- Kristen Lyall - University of California, DavisRebecca J. Schmidt - University of California, DavisIrva Hertz-Picciotto - University of California, Davis
- Publication Details
- International journal of epidemiology, v 43(2), pp 443-464
- Publisher
- Oxford Univ Press
- Number of pages
- 22
- Grant note
- R829388; R833292 / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) STAR; United States Environmental Protection Agency K12HD051958 / EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) R01-ES015359; NIH R01-ES020392; NIH P01 ES11269; NIH K12HD051958 / National Institutes of Health (NIH); United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA R01ES015359 / NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000335919500014
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84899825846
- Other Identifier
- 991020100052404721
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health