Can Preconception care reduce the risk of Autism?
Autism
For most parents, autism is one of those trigger words. In fact, the diagnosis of autism in the U.S. is rising at a dramatic rate of 10-17% annually. As of 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported one in fifty-nine children in the U.S. are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).[1] Because of this dramatic rise in cases, I knew I would need to eventually be an expert in this field, so I could best serve the population. I started my training while in medical school, and still reach out often to learn approaches from other practitioners.
I had the privilege of studying under some of the leading experts in learning disabilities such as Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and ADD. In my practice, I am able to work first-hand with children who struggle with these particular developmental disorders. So let me tell you, treating, maintaining and managing these conditions is a very difficult task. The approach must include metabolic, functional neurology, structure and function, gut health, diet, lifestyle, and psychological treatments. The stress of it all adds up for both the child and parents. This is why I turned towards prevention as a possible answer. How can we reduce or eliminate the chances of our children being born with these disorders? Or is it even possible?
One of my most cherished teachers, Dr. Robert Melillo, states in his book Autism, “everything we know about the environmental factors that contribute to autism indicates that the health of the mother and father prior to pregnancy and the health of the mother in pregnancy are crucial.” So what makes that true? Why would our lifestyle and environmental factors change the developing brain in utero? And what are those environmental factors that put your baby most at risk? Let me explain.
Unlike an adult’s brain, an infant’s brain is growing, changing, and maturing well into their childhood and, during developmental stages in utero, their brain is much more susceptible to toxic threats. It has also been discovered that any negative impact early on can continue to negatively impact a child in later stages of development. [2]
In research from Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, they uncovered some of the risk factors associated with ASD, when there is no family history of autism. The risks discovered were a father’s age of forty or over, the father’s exposure to heavy metals, including mercury, cadmium, nickel, trichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride, a father’s deficiency of vitamin D, and parents living a sedentary lifestyle.[2]
Many years ago, the National Academy of Sciences claimed publicly that environmental factors were contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Some of these environmental factors include exposure to toxic chemicals, infections, poor nutrition, and certain lifestyle practices.[3-4]
Several more studies looked at the association of autism and maternal stress. There were increased risks identified when the mother experienced high stress during gestational weeks 25–28. Stressful events can include but are not limited to divorce or a residential move. Researchers have also identified that children born to mothers who are obese, have high blood pressure, or diabetes prior to pregnancy had a 60% chance of having a child with autism.[2] And let’s not forget one of the most important aspects, which is the association of ASD and poor gut microbiome diversity of the mother. [5, 6]
Unfortunately, the rate of poor gut health, obesity, stress, diabetes and hypertension are growing more and more common in our society, and therefore preconception care is now more critical than ever. Preconception care aims to identify health risks to a woman or to the pregnancy outcome using prevention strategies. In fact, there are many steps you can take prior to conception or early in your pregnancy, that maximize the health outcome for you and your baby.
While we cannot change our genetics, we can do everything in our power to change how they are expressed (epigenetics). Our diet, lifestyle and exposures to environmental threats are the determining factors of whether the gene expression will occur. Although, no one can claim this approach is 100% effective, as there are always genetic factors involved, creating a healthier diet and lifestyle will never hurt your future children. So why not give it a chance?
You have absolute control over what chemicals you use in your home, the food you put in your body, the amount of exercise you do daily, and the vitamins you take. Getting your health on track before you become pregnant is absolutely essential in assuring you give your child the best chance at a healthy life.
I urge you to find your path into eating the healthiest diet and moving daily. It is also important to address, and reduce your stress in preconception months. Avoid moving to a new home while pregnant and address any relationship tensions you may have with your partner before conceiving. You also can adopt a meditation practice, breathing techniques, or experiencing silent moments of prayer before becoming pregnant. Most importantly, I urge you to reduce your toxin exposures as much as possible. Toxins can be at the root cause of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune, and other chronic diseases. In addition to that, you can speak with your Naturopathic Physician about taking some vitamins and nutrients to prepare for pregnancy. They can help you regulate weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar before you conceive.
You can find strategies on how to address all of these concerns in my book, Preparing for Pregnancy. It takes you through all of the cleansing, toxic avoidance, and preconception supplementation both male and female partners should do months prior to conceiving.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PREPARING FOR PREGNANCY
Although I am a doctor, I am not proud doctor. Therefor, nothing mentioned in my blog should be used as medical advice. If you wish to make any diet, lifestyle, supplement, or medication changes please seek the guidance of a trained medical professional to do so safely.
Resources
1.Prevention, C.f.D.C.a. Autism prevalence slightly higher in CDC’s ADDM Network. 2018 April;Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/p0426-autism-prevalence.html.
2. Melillo, R., Autism : the scientific truth about preventing, diagnosing, and treating autism
spectrum disorders - and what parents can do now. 2014.
3. Rauh, V.A. and A.E. Margolis, Research Review: Environmental exposures, neurodevelopment, and child mental health - new paradigms for the study of brain and behavioral effects. J Child
Psychol Psychiatry, 2016. 57(7): p. 775-93.
4. Landrigan, P.J., L. Lambertini, and L.S. Birnbaum, A research strategy to discover the
environmental causes of autism and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Environ Health Perspect, 2012. 120(7): p. A258-60.
5.Krajmalnik-Brown, R., et al., Gut bacteria in children with autism spectrum disorders:
challenges and promise of studying how a complex community influences a complex disease. Microb Ecol Health Dis, 2015. 26: p. 26914.
6. institute, A.r. ARI funded research studies (2010-2011). Available from: https://
www.autism.org/funded-research-2010-2011/.
