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Recent studies Folic acid lowered autism risk by pesticides
Women who want to have a child should make sure that they are sufficiently supplied with folic acid. When taken around conception, the risk of autism of the offspring is reduced by pesticides. Researchers from the USA have now found this out.
Folic acid reduces autism risk by pesticides
In order to ensure the best possible care of the baby in the mother's stomach, a lot of folic acid should be on the menu during pregnancy. Taking folic acid is also recommended for women before they become pregnant. Because this can reduce the risk of autism risk of their child with pesticides, as US researchers have now found out.
Mothers who take the recommended amount of folic acid around conception reduce their child's risk of autism with pesticides. The US researchers have now found out. (Image: nerudol / fotolia.com) Significant influence on the development of unborn children
Years ago, scientists from the University of California at Davis, California, reported on a study that showed pesticides to be the cause of autism.
The US researchers wrote at the time that "pesticide exposure during pregnancy has a significant impact on the development of unborn children".
However, another University of California team of scientists has now discovered that mothers who take the recommended amount of folic acid around conception reduce their child's risk of autism with pesticides.
The results of the study were recently published in the journal "Environmental Health Perspectives".
Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Thus, children whose mothers took 800 or more micrograms of folic acid had a significantly lower risk of autism spectrum disorder.
This was also the case when mothers came in contact with pesticides from the household or agriculture, which are associated with an increased risk, as reported by the news agency "Pressetext".
To get their results, the researchers evaluated data from Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE). They focused on 296 children between two and five years with an autism spectrum disorder and 220 children who developed normally.
The mothers had been questioned about their contact with pesticides in the household during pregnancy and their intake of folic acid and vitamin B..
The researchers also combined data from "California Pesticide Use" reports, which provide details on the agricultural use of pesticides, with the addresses of women.
Avoid exposure to pesticides as much as possible
It was found that mothers who took less than 800 micrograms of folic acid and were exposed to household pesticides had a significantly higher estimated risk that their child would contract autism spectrum disorder.
According to the information, the risk increased with repeated contact. Women who ingested less folic acid and were exposed to agricultural pesticides before and after conception also had a higher perceived risk.
"The mothers who had the highest risk were those who were exposed to pesticides on a regular basis," research director Rebecca J. Schmidt said in a statement. "Folic acid reduced the risk of autism, but it was not completely eliminated."
She added, "For women who are pregnant, it would be better to avoid exposure to pesticides as much as possible."
The study authors acknowledged that it is a case-control study that relies heavily on participants' memories. A causal relationship has yet to be established.
In addition, the protective effect of folic acid will be investigated in a further step. According to Schmidt, this is crucial in DNA methylation and DNA repair and synthesis.
In periods of rapid growth, they all play an important role when the cells divide as in a developing fetus. (Ad)