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Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Journal article
Prenatal Diet as a Modifier of Environmental Risk Factors for Autism and Related Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
Current environmental health reports, v 9(2), pp 324-338
19 Mar 2022
PMID: 35305256
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Purpose of Review Environmental chemicals and toxins have been associated with increased risk of impaired neurodevelopment and specific conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Prenatal diet is an individually modifiable factor that may alter associations with such environmental factors. The purpose of this review is to summarize studies examining prenatal dietary factors as potential modifiers of the relationship between environmental exposures and ASD or related neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Recent Findings Twelve studies were identified; five examined ASD diagnosis or ASD-related traits as the outcome (age at assessment range: 2-5 years) while the remainder addressed associations with neurodevelopmental scores (age at assessment range: 6 months to 6 years). Most studies focused on folic acid, prenatal vitamins, or omega-3 fatty acids as potentially beneficial effect modifiers. Environmental risk factors examined included air pollutants, endocrine disrupting chemicals, pesticides, and heavy metals. Most studies took place in North America. In 10/12 studies, the prenatal dietary factor under study was identified as a significant modifier, generally attenuating the association between the environmental exposure and ASD or neurodevelopment.
Summary Prenatal diet may be a promising target to mitigate adverse effects of environmental exposures on neurodevelopmental outcomes. Further research focused on joint effects is needed that encompasses a broader variety of dietary factors, guided by our understanding of mechanisms linking environmental exposures with neurodevelopment. Future studies should also aim to include diverse populations, utilize advanced methods to optimize detection of novel joint effects, incorporate consideration of timing, and consider both synergistic and antagonistic potential of diet.
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Details
- Title
- Prenatal Diet as a Modifier of Environmental Risk Factors for Autism and Related Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
- Creators
- Megan Bragg - Drexel UniversityJorge E. Chavarro - Harvard UniversityGhassan B. Hamra - Johns Hopkins UniversityJaime E. Hart - Brigham and Women's HospitalLoni Philip Tabb - Drexel UniversityMarc G. Weisskopf - Harvard UniversityHeather E. Volk - Johns Hopkins UniversityKristen Lyall - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Current environmental health reports, v 9(2), pp 324-338
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 15
- Grant note
- R01 ES032469-01A1; P30 ES000002 / NIEHS; 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
- Urban Health Collaborative; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000770725000001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85126775676
- Other Identifier
- 991019169519804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health