Study: Taking Prenatal Vitamins Early In Pregnancy Associated With Lower Autism Risk

(CNN) — Taking prenatal vitamins during the first month of pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of developing autism in children who are at high risk for the disorder, according to a new study. Researchers followed 241 children whose older siblings had a diagnosis of autism and who therefore had an increased risk of being diagnosed with the disorder. The researchers evaluated the children’s development starting at 6 months through 3 years of age. At the same time, the moms were asked through phone interviews and mailed questionnaires about prenatal vitamin use. Approximately 1 in every 4 children enrolled in the study went on to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, similar to the rate of 1 in 5 for younger siblings of children with autism reported in prior studies. Of the children whose mothers took prenatal vitamins in the first month of the pregnancy, 14.1% went on to develop autism, compared with 32.7% in children whose mothers did not. Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability that results in behavioral and social changes, including communication. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1 in 59 children in the US has autism. The condition affects many more boys than girls. In the new study, the reduction in the risk of developing autism also seemed to be greater for the children whose moms took greater doses of folic acid and iron during pregnancy, suggesting that there might be at least a partial d...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health News Autism CNN Pregnancy Source Type: news