Women who adhere to a healthy diet during pregnancy could lower the risk of autism in their children, according to a recent study. Researchers looked at data from more than 96,000 pregnancies in Norway and England. The children were followed up until the age of 8 and sometimes older.
The study found that the “likelihood of autism diagnosis was reduced by 22 percent” among children whose mothers adhered to a healthy prenatal dietary pattern. Researchers defined a healthy diet as including fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and whole grains while consuming less red and processed meat, high-fat foods, soft drinks, and refined carbohydrates. A healthy diet during pregnancy was also associated with a reduced likelihood of children having social communication difficulties.
However, such a diet was not associated with lower odds of restrictive and repetitive behaviors. Researchers stated they were unsure whether associations observed in the study were “causal” or not. They called for more investigation into these issues, such as exploring whether the associations varied based on food groups.
The study was funded by multiple entities, including the UK Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, the University of Bristol, the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services, and the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office. A study researcher had a conflict of interest as this person received grants from UK Prevention Research Partnership and NIHR outside the submitted work. Insufficient intake of vegetables could lead to a deficiency of micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, it said.
Lower consumption of meat also may result in dietary protein insufficiency. Between 2009 and 2017, one in six children between the ages of 3 and 17 were diagnosed with a developmental disability, including autism, ADHD, and cerebral palsy. The reasons for the skyrocketing autism rates are unknown, and explanations range from genetics, diet, and medication to risk factors such as the age of the parents.
Some studies showed that infant exposure to certain materials such as aluminum may be a cause of the disorder. Aluminum is used widely in food containers and in many health products from antacids to vaccines. Researchers found that exposure to digital media early in life was associated with “atypical sensory processing outcomes” among children.
“Proper processing allows the brain to generate appropriate responses,“ he wrote. ”It’s essential for everyday functioning and overall well-being. .
.. Excessive screen time appears to disrupt this process.
” A July 8 study found that children with autism have altered microbial populations in their digestive tracts, which could pave the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities..
