Concerns About Pregnancy and Birth Factors and ASD

In our article, "Autism Spectrum Disorders: Exploring Pregnancy and Birth Factors," we detail some of the topics researchers are investigating with regard to issues that arise during pregnancy or birth and a child's eventual diagnosis with an ASD.

You can find the article here: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/understanding_research/pregnancy_and_birth_factors

We know that a less-than-perfect pregnancy or birth is associated with ASD, but we don't know whether this is because some pregnancy or birth related factors lead to ASD, or a child's ASD contributes to a less-than-perfect pregnancy or birth. Are there circumstances surrounding your own pregnancy, or your child's birth, that have led you to wonder about any specific birth or pregnancy factor and a possible association with ASD?

It is highly likely that exposure to environmental toxins during gestation also contributes to neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders in children. Pollution is in our food, water, air, the soil, consumer products, clothing, beauty products - you name it, and it's probably there. CDC biomonitoring shows these toxins are in our bodies too. Recent studies are showing that these toxins are reaching babies in utero - during the most critical times of organ, brain, and body development.

A recent report by the Environmental Working Group found 9 out of 10 randomly-selected cord-blood samples were positive for plastics, flame retardants, rocket-fuel byproducts and 232 other chemicals, many of which have been implicated in mental retardation, ADHD, immune dysregulation, endocrine and neurological disorders. Many of these "chemical cocktails" work synergistically to cause greater damage on the body's tissues.

Link to the full report: http://www.ewg.org/minoritycordblood/BPA-cordbloodpollution

Hi CaringNP, and welcome to IAN.

You make a good point about the fact that modern life involves living in what I like to call "toxic soup." This is one of the reasons it is so difficult to identify a specific environmental culprit that is linked to any one biological, neurological, or developmental condition.

Although it is clear that genetics plays a major role in autism spectrum disorders, the question of whether specific environmental factors also play a role --and which ones-- is still open. Or is it more that living in "toxic soup" leads to more changes (that is, mutations) in genes that then lead to more disease?

For interested readers, see our section on Environmental Aspects: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/understanding_research/environmental_aspects

I also believe there are multiple causes for ASDs. Due to the recent reccomendation that all pregnant women receive the flu vaccine, I would like to see some correlational studies on the flu shot during pregnancy and the long term effects as it relates to speech delays and autistic-features. In my son's case, I am convinced that the flu shot was the one thing that caused his PDD-NOS. My other children are typically developing and I did not receive the flu shot during any other pregnancies.

I also happened to mention my suspicions to a small number friends, and 2 had a similar experience; a flu shot during pregnancy, and subsequently the child had a speech delay with or without autistic features. I am also friends with one mother who received a mercury-containing Rho-gam shot with 25 mcg of mercury while pregnant, and her son now has sensory issues and bowell problems, both of which are often associated with autism.

I think prenatal flu shots as related to ASDs should be studied as soon as possible. It could be that either exposure to mercury or the flu virus could have a negative impact on the fetus. To ingore this variable in the study of pregnancy and childbirth factors relating to autism seems to be glaring omission.

Hi Anonymous, and thank you for your post.

Researchers have investigated a number of potential pregnancy-related factors that may be associated with autism, and are hoping to conduct additional studies. Our new questionnaire will include questions on many of the topics of interest, and does have a question about medications taken during pregnancy, vaccinations received during pregnancy, and toxic exposures experienced during pregnancy. There will also be questions about many other topics, including fertility treatments, prenatal testing, ultrasounds, and newborn jaundice.

At this point, it should be noted, there has been no indication that flu vaccines during pregnancy may be associated with autism in some way.

Hi everyone! We have now launched the IAN Pregnancy and Birth Questionnaire. Please spread the word.

You can find information on the launch here: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/ian_research/pregnancy_and_birth_questionnaire

The information provided by mothers of children with ASD via this survey should help researchers explore a variety of potential autism risk factors.

I have a son who is now 24. He is my second child. At 6 months old he did not respond to me as his mum. At 18 months old his speech development seemed to regress. At 24 months he did not want to join in with his peers. I read with interest regarding depression during pregnancy may have some effect on childhood development. I was very depressed up until I was 20 weeks pregnant. This depression occured from me being 6 weeks pregnant. My son is now 24 and still has difficulty in responding to other people in an appropriate manner. I now question if he has autism albeit at a more 'minor' level. Any comments/advice would be helpful. Thanks.

Thank you for your post, Anonymous, and for sharing your story with us.

There are actually many people who have some autistic traits without having enough to qualify for a diagnosis, and there are also many higher functioning individuals who do qualify but go many years without a diagnosis because their strengths mask their weaknesses. See our article on the very late diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/articles/very_late_diagnosis_of_asperger_syndrome

If you and your son are interested in seeking a diagnosis, it is important to find a professional who is knowledgeable about autism spectrum disorders in those who are older and higher functioning. The Autism Speaks' Autism Response Team has listings of those who diagnose in various regions of the country: 888-288-4762 or familyservices@autismspeaks.org

The Global Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership (GRASP) also has some information about getting a diagnosis, as well as resources for adults on the spectrum: http://www.grasp.org

As for being depressed during pregnancy, I know of no research that suggests simply being depressed during pregnancy is associated with autism. Some have questioned whether taking certain antidepressants during pregnancy is associated, but that is still an open question. There is also some research that shows, in genetic terms, some families have both ASDs and mood disorders in various family members, but that does not mean one causes the other. You might be interested in a report we did based on the results of our Parental Depression History Questionnaire: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/ian_research_reports/ian_research_report_oct_2008