From The Westside Story
A recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology scrutinizes the relationship between low iron uptake during pregnancy and development of autism disorder in the infants. It reveals that low iron uptake can increase the risk of autism by five-folds if the mother’s age is 35 or above or if she is suffering from metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
Low iron uptake can increase the risk of autism by five-folds if the mother’s age is 35 or above or if she is suffering from metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. (The Westside Story)
“The association between lower maternal iron intake and increased autism spectrum disorders risk was strongest during breast feeding”, said Rebecca Schmidt, lead study author and assistant professor in the department of public health sciences at the University of California, Davis.
The study was conducted with mother-child pairs enrolled in the Northern California- based Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE). Participants included mothers of both autism affected children and with typical development. Researchers examined maternal iron intake among the participants including other nutrition, vitamins during three months prior to through end of the women’s pregnancy and breast feeding. Mothers’ daily iron intake was observed, together with frequency, dosage and the brands they consumed.
It was noted that iron deficiency affects majority of women (about 40-50%) posing threats to their infants.
Read the full articl HERE.
