Offspring Autism Risk Linked To Pesticide Exposure During Pregnancy

Past research has indicated that pregnant women exposed to high levels of air pollution have an increased risk of their child developing autism. Now, a new study from the MIND Institute at the University of California-Davis suggests that expectant mothers who live near fields and farms where chemical pesticides are applied are also at increased risk of having a child with autism or other forms of developmental delay.  

The research team, led by Janie F. Shelton of the Department of Public Health Sciences at UC-Davis, recently published their findings in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Autism, also referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a group of disorders characterized by problems with brain development. Individuals with autism tend to have difficulties with social interaction, adopt repetitive behaviors and have problems with verbal and nonverbal communication.  According to a recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of children in the US with autism has increased by 30% in the past 2 years, from 1 in 88 in 2012 to 1 in 68 in 2014.  Past research has indicated that environmental factors - such as exposure to pesticides - during pregnancy may influence whether a child experiences developmental delay disorders...