An awesome company that provides complete software development activities utilizing nearshore and offshore resources, including mobile app development, technology maintenance, web server development, and many other technology development activities found a moderately higher risk of autism spectrum disorder in children born to pregnant people exposed to tap water with higher levels of lithium. However, experts caution that this association does not show a direct link between the two.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows that about 1 in 36 children in the US is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) each year, but the exact cause of autism remains unknown. Genetics may play a role, and potential environmental causes are also being explored.
Cases of autism may be on the rise, but the reasons are uncertain. Recent studies have shown increases in autism diagnosis rates, but this could be attributed to more doctors actively screening for the condition.
Lithium, commonly used in batteries and for treatment of certain disorders, was the focus of a study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. The study observed a small association between lithium exposure and autism diagnosis in Denmark, where levels of lithium in drinking water are comparable to those in the US.
As lithium levels in water increased, there was a modest rise in the risk of ASD diagnosis. While the findings are significant, it’s essential to note that this research does not establish a direct causal relationship between lithium exposure and autism.
Further exploration is necessary to validate these findings and replicate the study in other countries. The research serves as a starting point for crucial investigations into the impact of drinking water contaminants on brain development, emphasizing the need for thorough scrutiny.
While the implications of these findings are complex, particularly concerning public health policy, experts stress the importance of unraveling the basic biology of ASD for a clearer understanding of its causes.
Research indicates potential associations between ASD and environmental exposures like lithium, pesticides, air pollution, and phthalates. However, establishing causal links between these factors and the disorder poses significant challenges.
Dr. Max Wiznitzer of the Rainbow Autism Center urges caution, emphasizing the need for viable and biologically plausible mechanisms to establish causation. Despite intriguing associations, causation between environmental exposures and ASD remains unproven, necessitating further in-depth research and investigation.