New Research: Link Between Obesity and Autism
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
A new study has linked obesity and diabetes during pregnancy to autism and developmental delays in young children. The study, published in the most recent edition of the journal Pediatrics, found that women who had diabetes or hypertension or were obese, were 1.61 times more likely to have children with autism spectrum disorders. Further, these women were 2.35 times more likely to have children with developmental delays.
This comes on the heels of last month's report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the autism rate among 8-year-olds in the US having risen to 1 in 88 (from 1 in 110 several years ago). The numbers, particularly during Autism Awareness Month, are garnering attention nationwide. GoLocalProv spoke to Lucia Larson, MD, Director of Obstetric Medicine at the Women’s Medicine Collaborative, about the recent findings.
These latest findings are getting a lot of attention. Is it warranted? Are these results as serious as they sound?
More research is needed to really understand the nature of this association with autism. We need to be careful to not draw too many conclusions without more information. However, this research does call attention to the fact that a baby's health is directly connected to maternal health and underscores why it is important to optimize the health of the mother to optimize the health of the baby.
What should women in Rhode Island know about these findings and their implications?
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThis is a reminder for women to think about the impact of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even other medical disorders on pregnancy. For instance, obesity and diabetes is associated with an increased risk for congenital anomalies, abnormal fetal growth, premature or low birth weight babies, and other pregnancy complications.
The good news is that this risk can be mitigated by appropriate treatment prior to conception and throughout pregnancy. At the Women's Medicine Collaborative, we offer preconception counseling to help educate women so they can be prepared both physically and emotionally for pregnancy. During this visit, we can identify any potential health conditions that could pose a risk during the pregnancy and also treat any preexisting medical problems that a woman may have before becoming pregnant. Preconception care - which typically involves an office visit, health assessment and routine lab work - is an important first step in preparing for a healthy pregnancy.
What steps would you recommend a woman who is obese or diabetic take if she is pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant?
Any woman can benefit from preconception counseling, but especially women with obesity, diabetes, hypertension, or other medical disorders should see a physician who can discuss her individual risks for pregnancy and make specific recommendations for appropriate treatment in preparation for pregnancy.
It is important to know that medical disorders need to be treated and controlled to optimize the health of both the woman and her baby. Recommendations may include non-pharmacologic interventions such as exercise, healthy eating, and weight loss. However, many women need to be advised about which medications can be safely used during pregnancy and changes in medications should ideally be done before a woman becomes pregnant.
Since babies depend on having healthy mothers to be healthy themselves, it is important that a woman works closely with a physician who can advise her about how her medical disorders can be best controlled before and during pregnancy. The best time to plan for this is before pregnancy.
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