Maternal exposure to pesticides and autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders in offspring: A meta-analysis.

This study looked at whether pregnant mothers' exposure to pesticides affects their children's risk of autism or ADHD. Researchers combined data from 19 studies and found that pesticide exposure during pregnancy slightly increases the chance of having a child with autism (19% higher) or ADHD (20% higher). Different types of pesticides had different effects, and mothers over 30 seemed to have higher risk. The study suggests avoiding pesticide exposure during pregnancy, especially for families living in farming areas.

This meta-analysis examined 19 studies investigating maternal pesticide exposure during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) risk in offspring. The analysis found maternal pesticide exposure was associated with increased risk of both ASD (19% increased odds) and ADHD (20% increased odds) in children. Specific pesticide types showed varying effects: organophosphorus pesticides and pyrethroids increased ASD risk, while organochlorine pesticides increased ADHD risk. Maternal age ≥30 years was identified as an additional risk factor for ASD.

The findings suggest the in utero period represents a vulnerable developmental window for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Findings support counseling pregnant women about pesticide exposure risks, particularly those in agricultural areas. Healthcare providers should consider environmental exposure history when assessing neurodevelopmental risk factors. Results support public health policies aimed at reducing maternal pesticide exposure during pregnancy to potentially decrease autism and ADHD incidence.

The abstract does not report total sample size across included studies or discuss study quality assessment. Potential confounding factors and exposure measurement methods are not detailed. The magnitude of risk increases, while statistically significant, are relatively modest.

To analyze the association between maternal pesticide exposure and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) in offspring. Five databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Medline, as well as PsycINFO were systematically retrieved for the records related to pesticide exposure during pregnancy and ASD and ADHD in offspring before August 30, 2022. The pesticide category, maternal age and window of exposure as the main subgroups were presented. 949 studies were initially identified, and 19 studies were eventually included. Eleven were on ASD, seven were on ADHD, and one was on both disorders.

Maternal pesticide exposure was positively related to ASD (pooled OR = 1.19 (95%CI: 1.04 to 1.36)) and ADHD (pooled OR = 1.20 (95%CI: 1.04 to 1.38)) in offspring. In the subgroup analysis, organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) (pooled OR = 1.14 (95%CI: 1.04 to 1.24)), pyrethroid (pooled OR = 1.40 (95%CI: 1.09 to 1.80)), and maternal age ≥30 years old (pooled OR = 1.24 (95%CI: 1.10 to 1.40)) increased the risk of ASD in offspring. Maternal organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) exposure was a risk factor for ADHD in offspring (pooled OR = 1.22 (95%CI: 1.03 to 1.45)). Maternal pesticide exposure increased the risk of ASD and ADHD in offspring.

Moreover, OPs, pyrethroid, and maternal age ≥30 years old were found to be risk factors affecting children's ASD. Maternal exposure to OCPs increased the risk of ADHD in offspring. Our findings contribute to our understanding of health risks related to maternal pesticide exposure and indicate that the in utero developmental period is a vulnerable window-of-susceptibility for ASD and ADHD risk in offspring. These findings should guide policies that limit maternal exposure to pesticides, especially for pregnant women living in agricultural areas.