Research Shows Environment Is Main Factor in Autism
Of all neurodevelopmental disorders, autism has been deemed the one most likely to be inherited. But this study shows that genes exert only moderate susceptibility for autism, and that its environmental component is substantial.
Autism is a complex disorder whose signature is the disruption of the normal course of social, communicative and cognitive development. Diagnosis is made in early childhood, and symptoms manifest by the time a child is 3 years old. In the last generation, a substantial increase in the prevalence of autism has been reported, from 4 or 5 per 10,000 in the 1960s to around 40 per 10,000 children today. It's even more common to be somewhere on the "autism spectrum" -- as many as one in 100 children qualify. The increase in recent years often is ascribed to better recognition, not necessarily to a greater occurrence.
The study appears to be the largest "population-based twin study of autism that used contemporary standards for the diagnosis of autism," a standard necessary to examine genetic influences. As the authors report, "The results suggest that environmental factors common to twins explain about 55% of the liability to autism. Although genetic factors also play an important role, they are of substantially lower magnitude than estimates from prior twin studies of autism."
In another study related to autism published in in the Archives of General Psychiatry, prenatal exposure to the most widely prescribed kind of antidepressants--including Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft— is associated with a modest increase in the risk of developing autism, especially during the first trimester.
"The potential risk associated with exposure," the authors wrote, "must be balanced with the risk to the mother or fetus of untreated mental health disorders. Further studies are needed to replicate and extend these findings."
Families interested in learning more about our firm's legal services, including legal representation for children who have suffered serious injuries in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia due to medical malpractice, defective products, birth-related trauma or other injuries, may ask questions or send us information about a particular case by phone or email. There is no charge for contacting us regarding your inquiry. An attorney will respond within 24 hours.
All contents copyrighted 2010 Patrick Malone & Associates except where copyright held by others. Reproduction in any form prohibited except where expressly granted.
