Further research needed to confirm link between higher levels of lithium in drinking water and increased risk of autism diagnosis, study suggests

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A recent study discovered a slightly higher risk of autism spectrum disorder in children born to expecting individuals exposed to tap water containing elevated levels of lithium. However, it’s important to note that this association does not establish a direct correlation between the two. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that approximately 1 in 36 children in the US are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) annually.

While the exact cause of autism is still unknown, researchers have been exploring both genetic and potential environmental factors. Although the number of diagnosed cases might be increasing, it is uncertain. Studies in the New York-New Jersey area revealed a significant uptick in autism diagnosis rates among specific age groups between 2000 and 2016. However, the CDC attributes the rise in cases to an increased number of doctors screening for the condition.

Lithium, an alkali metal present naturally in certain food and groundwater, is also used in treating bipolar disorder and various blood disorders. The levels of lithium in drinking water in the US are unregulated. A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics indicated a small link between lithium and autism diagnoses in Denmark, where the level of lithium in drinking water resembles that of American water systems.

It’s crucial to understand that the research does not prove that lithium exposure directly leads to an autism diagnosis. The study’s co-author emphasized the need for more extensive research and the replication of the study in other countries to determine a similar connection.

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