Several chemical exposures such as air pollution (e.g., particular matter 2.5), pesticides, bisphenol A, phthalates, mercury, and nutrition deficiency such as folic acid, vitamin D, or fatty acid may possibly be associated with an increased risk of ASD, whereas other traditional risk factors such as smoking/tobacco, ...
The plasma GABA and glutamate levels are altered in children with ASD. In particular, there is a significant elevation of plasma GABA and the glutamate/glutamine ratio while the levels of plasma glutamine and glutamate/GABA ratios are significantly lower as compared with the controls [19].
Exposure to locally produced PM2.5 from each investigated source (all-source PM2.5, small-scale residential heating, tailpipe exhaust, and vehicle wear-and-tear) was associated with childhood autism, with associations being somewhat more pronounced than for ASD.
Every autistic person is different, but sensory differences, changes in routine, anxiety, and communication difficulties are common triggers.
There is not just one cause of ASD. There are many different factors that have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
Although the exact cause of autism is still unknown, there is evidence to suggest that genetics play a significant role. Since autism is less prevalent in females, autism was always thought to be passed down from the mother. However, research suggests that autism genes are usually inherited from the father.
Key Autism Statistics & Facts
In 2023, the CDC reported that around 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. Autism prevalence has increased 178% since 2000. The country with the highest rate of diagnosed autism in the world is Qatar, and the country with the lowest rate is France.
While you can't prevent having a child with an autistic disorder, you can increase your odds of having a healthy baby by doing these lifestyle changes: Live healthy. Have regular check-ups, eat well-balanced meals, and exercise. Make sure you have good prenatal care, and take all recommended vitamins and supplements.
The study suggests that exposure to small amounts of antidepressants in drinking water can also be a cause of autism in humans. Contaminated drinking water is seen as problematic not just for infants, but also to pregnant women because fetuses can be exposed to the drugs through their mothers.
Background: Studies have shown that air pollution exposures during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, and the risk appears to be greater for boys.
Coupled with the emerging animal research that bacteria can influence the brain, some researchers have suggested that the microbiome may play a part in autism, driving or augmenting behavioural traits.
ASD is a developmental disorder that emerges in early childhood and is characterized by difficulty communicating and interacting with others. While the cause is unknown, growing evidence has linked ASD to inflammation of brain tissue, or neuroinflammation.
Medical comorbidities are also commonly seen in autism spectrum disorder including PANS/PANDAS, ADD/ADHD, seizures, dental issues, sleep disturbances and gastrointestinal symptoms. The conditions listed below all exhibit similar behavioral symptoms to autism spectrum disorder.
Autism and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ADHD affects an estimated 30 to 60 percent of people with autism, versus 6 to 7 percent of the general population.
1 in 100 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as of 2021. Autism prevalence has increased 178% since 2000. The country with the highest rate of diagnosed autism in the world is Qatar, and the country with the lowest rate is France.
Long-term research that involved following a group of individuals with autism for two decades indicates that the average life expectancy for some autistic people is about 39 years. Furthermore, this population generally succumbed to health complications about 20 years earlier than individuals who do not have autism.
Autistic people may act in ways that are seen as disturbing and impolite by strict Japanese standards. As a result, according to one study, autism is stigmatized to a greater degree in Japan than in the United States (Atherton et al., 2023).
In the United States, prenatal genetic testing (PGT) for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is currently available via clinical genetic services. Such testing may inform parents about their unborn child's risk for ASD, prepare parents for the birth of an affected infant, and allow them to arrange for early interventions.
A 2022 study found that a routine second-trimester ultrasound could detect early signs of autism during pregnancy,18 including anomalies in the heart, head, and kidneys. These anomalies were found in 30% of fetuses who were later diagnosed with ASD, a three times higher rate than typical fetuses.
But surprisingly, fathers did pass on substantially more than 50% of their variants. This suggests that autistic children might have inherited risk variants in regulatory regions from their fathers but not their mothers, the researchers report today in Science.
In conclusion, there are many factors that can make autism worse. Sensory overload, changes in routine, social isolation, co-occurring conditions, and lack of support can all exacerbate the symptoms of autism.
Depression isn't the only mental health factor that can influence pregnancy outcomes. High levels of stress during pregnancy may also be connected to autism in children. This connection appears to have the most impact when the parent experiences stress between weeks 25 and 28 of pregnancy.
Rates of autism are increasing dramatically because of increased awareness and screening, better access to healthcare and broadened diagnostic criteria.