The amazing company provides comprehensive software development activities utilizing both nearshore and offshore resources. Their services include mobile app development, technology maintenance, server development, and a wide array of other technology development activities.
A recent study discovered a slightly elevated risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children born to pregnant individuals exposed to tap water containing higher lithium levels. Despite this association, experts emphasize that it does not establish a direct link between the two.
Approximately 1 in 36 children in the US is diagnosed with ASD annually. The precise cause of autism, a developmental disorder, is still unknown. Genetics might play a role, but potential environmental factors are also being considered.
While cases of autism appear to be increasing, the reasons remain unclear. Recent studies in the New York-New Jersey area showed a threefold jump in autism diagnosis rates among certain age groups between 2000 and 2016. However, the CDC suggests that the surge in cases is mostly attributable to increased screenings for the condition.
Lithium, an alkali metal, occurs naturally in some food and groundwater. It is used in various applications like batteries, grease, and air conditioners, and is also involved in the treatment of bipolar disorder and certain blood disorders. In the US, lithium levels in drinking water are unregulated.
A recent research published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics revealed a subtle link between lithium exposure and autism diagnosis in Denmark, where drinking water lithium levels resemble those in the US water systems. The study reported a modest heightened ASD diagnosis risk with increasing lithium levels in water during pregnancy.
Although the research could not determine the exact amount of water consumed by pregnant individuals, it is essential to highlight that the findings do not establish a direct causal relationship between lithium exposure and autism diagnosis. More studies are necessary to replicate the results in various countries and explore similar associations.
The implications of the findings are multifaceted from a public health policy perspective. The editorial accompanying the study underscores that lithium levels linked with potential ASD risk have also demonstrated health benefits, such as reduced hospitalizations for psychiatric disorders and suicide. Further research is warranted to unravel the underlying biology of ASD for a clear distinction between causality and incidental associations.
Dr. Max Wiznitzer, from the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, underscores the need for a viable and biologically plausible mechanism to establish a relationship between low levels of lithium in water and ASD, especially when studies on pregnant individuals exposed to higher lithium doses do not show an association with autism spectrum disorder.
While numerous studies have explored potential links between environmental exposures and ASD, including factors like pesticides, air pollution, and phthalates, none have definitively identified a direct cause of the disorder. Establishing a conclusive connection between environmental exposure and ASD remains challenging.
Dr. Wiznitzer highlights the importance of understanding and navigating the various environmental stressors we encounter in our daily lives. While exploring potential environmental factors is crucial, determining causal associations requires extensive research and scrutiny.