Preventing autism during pregnancy?

[ELP]

I came across a thread about this on another baby site I use, babyandbump, and wanted to post it here as it crosses into diet and things which we have some knowledgeable ladies here on.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/opinion/sunday/immune-disorders-and-autism.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=general

As a boy swayer I will be interested in all thoughts on this subject in general as it affects more boys than girls.

My main concern for me atm is that it mentions that mothers diagnosed with allergies and asthma in the 2nd tri increases her childs risk, I am due to see a Dr this month to see if I have asthma since Ive been very coughy and wheezy since December, luckily this was the start of 3rd tri for me with Davey.

The article goes onto mention that a probiotic during pregnancy could help keep a good anti inflammatory balance inside so helping protect baby. Also the ladies on the bnb site mentioned that avoiding processed sugars and breads also may help to keep the body balanced, I know that bread especially does affect me during pregnancy.

Any thoughts from anyone able to understand the wording of the article better than myself or anyone with experience, views on this subject, greatly appreciated!!

[Mum23boys]

Non of it applied to NE yet my eldest has autism dyspraxia hyper mobility asthma the lot !!! One thing I find frustrating is I did everything by the book and yet he got all this, with my others I ate what I wanted didn't avoid anything, had a few drinks, and they are in perfect health and are never ill unlike my poor first son who gets every illness going. I think being too careful can sometimes do more harm than good to little ones immunity

[nuthinbutpink]

The two articles I've recently read talked about the mother's weight and having kids within a year of one another increases your odds. I hadn't seen what you posted.

[ELP]

Non of it applied to NE yet my eldest has autism dyspraxia hyper mobility asthma the lot !!! One thing I find frustrating is I did everything by the book and yet he got all this, with my others I ate what I wanted didn't avoid anything, had a few drinks, and they are in perfect health and are never ill unlike my poor first son who gets every illness going. I think being too careful can sometimes do more harm than good to little ones immunity
Thanks for sharing Mum23boys:) I spoke to a paedatrician yesterday on a different subject about peanuts and breastfeeding and he said he was on the fence as to whether avoiding certain things was a good or bad thing sometimes.

[ELP]

The two articles I've recently read talked about the mother's weight and having kids within a year of one another increases your odds. I hadn't seen what you posted.

This article mentions weight aswell, I wonder how the weight may be affecting things inside?? Luckily the weight is ok for me, but the close together thing is something I will look into, I dont suppose you could post a link when you grab a minute:agree::)

[Mrs_P]

Same for me, my son has same condition - only thing i did wrong was take a really really high strength vitamin (i had health issues and was from doc - lots of vit a in it) before getting pregnant (we weren't trying) and he assured me that could not have caused it either. Otherwise preganancies were identical to the others and they are both fine. Ds1 picked up everything as a baby was on anitbiotics at least once a month after i stopped breast feeding him at 10 months (was fine before). Can't pinpoint illness to anything i did everything by the book (i was adamant i got it right from the beginning as i was sooo worried being a young mom to (23) that i'd screw things up for him and he was soo precious to me).

The thing to remember is anyone can have a child with these sorts of conditions and whilst it may sound scary they are your child and you never know them any different you adjust and cope and its a very wide spectrum some children at the one end its barely noticeable.

[Rosie85]

Non of it applied to NE yet my eldest has autism dyspraxia hyper mobility asthma the lot !!! One thing I find frustrating is I did everything by the book and yet he got all this, with my others I ate what I wanted didn't avoid anything, had a few drinks, and they are in perfect health and are never ill unlike my poor first son who gets every illness going. I think being too careful can sometimes do more harm than good to little ones immunity


I have the same exact situation. With my first I followed every "rule" to a T. I ate super healthy did nothing wrong at all except take some anti-depressants at the very end and DS1 has autism. I do think I believe I know what could be to blame for his situation but it's not my diet that's for sure. With my second I ate tons of junk food:oops:, DS2 is neurotyical--at least as far as we can tell.

[Rosie85]

hmmm okay I read the article now, haha. The theory sounds like is has some backing but then like they said in the developing world where infection is rampant autism is less prevalent. How interesting....

I do not recall having an infection of any kind with DS1 other than a head cold at the very beginning but I also had that with DS2. I should look up an article I recently read on Tylenol. They have discovered taking it during pregnancy and giving it to babies especially while vaccinating could be putting them at risk for autism.

I suddenly feel the need to take a pro-biotic though......

[BeadinMom]

Not really related, but I wanted to mention it anyway.
My DS2 has a peanut allergy & severe tree nut allergy. My other 2 boys do not. He's the only one I craved peanutbutter during pregnancy for. I've seen conflicting reports about whether or not that could have caused it, but I do know this...if God blessed us with another baby, I will NEVER eat nuts during my pregnancy again. Never.

[michaela]

Weight causes inflammation in the body. Grains and sugar cause inflammation in the body. I believe there is a link between autism and grains but I don't know that for sure. I do know that a child psychologist that was on IG sent me a message once about there being a link between elevated cytokines in the body and autism but I don't remember exactly the info she sent me. Anyway, Paleo/Primal is a grain and sugar free diet and this is an incredible story. Of course this is just one story but I know there are others out there. Google Paleo and Autism if you are interested. I could try and explain the cytokines things but not sure if people are interested.

Real life testimonial: Scarlet’s turnaround (Autism & Paleo) (http://robbwolf.com/2011/05/23/real-life-testimonial-scarlets-turnaround-autism-paleo/)

[BeadinMom]

Weight causes inflammation in the body. Grains and sugar cause inflammation in the body. I believe there is a link between autism and grains but I don't know that for sure. I do know that a child psychologist that was on IG sent me a message once about there being a link between elevated cytokines in the body and autism but I don't remember exactly the info she sent me. Anyway, Paleo/Primal is a grain and sugar free diet and this is an incredible story. Of course this is just one story but I know there are others out there. Google Paleo and Autism if you are interested. I could try and explain the cytokines things but not sure if people are interested.

Real life testimonial: Scarlet’s turnaround (Autism & Paleo) (http://robbwolf.com/2011/05/23/real-life-testimonial-scarlets-turnaround-autism-paleo/)


That's a very interesting theory, M.
I wonder if taking fish oils would help & if you'd have to continue them during pregnancy. Cytokines are very interesting little things! I did a bit of research during the swine flu outbreak & I really think cytokine storms are what caused the deaths of those young, healthy people. It was like having a healthy immune system became a liability.

Fish Oils & Cytokines | LIVESTRONG.COM (http://www.livestrong.com/article/448927-fish-oils-cytokines/)

[michaela]

That's a very interesting theory, M.
I wonder if taking fish oils would help & if you'd have to continue them during pregnancy. Cytokines are very interesting little things! I did a bit of research during the swine flu outbreak & I really think cytokine storms are what caused the deaths of those young, healthy people. It was like having a healthy immune system became a liability.

Fish Oils & Cytokines | LIVESTRONG.COM (http://www.livestrong.com/article/448927-fish-oils-cytokines/)

A good quality fish oil will possibly reduce cytokines. It is recommended that I take them by an immune doctor for my IVF/autoimmune stuff. Of course it is better to get good Omega 3's from actual food sources but sometimes that is very hard to do for people. Even regular beef that isn't grass fed can have too many Omega 6's as well as most of the fish you can get at a regular grocery store. Everything in regular stores (beyond stores like Whole Foods) seems to be farm raised and it is hard to get wild caught fish. It is a very complicated thing but if Autism is something that runs in your family or you have a child with Autism, it is definitely something to look into or try. I should mention that a lot of people talk about Gluten free stuff but almost all of that stuff includes some form of grains. It needs to be grain and sugar free with very little to no processed foods. :)

[BeadinMom]

Funny?
Checked my emails after I posted here & there's one from GNC about omega 3 algae caps available now for vegetarians. LOL. Coincidence? Or perhaps not??? Hmmm....lol

Thanks so much for the info. Thankfully, it doesn't run in my family, but its something I think every mother worries about. Definitely something I will keep in mind if I'm lucky enough to conceive again!

[michaela]

That is too funny!!

Definitely something I worry about given my history with very high cytokines but it is what it is and hopefully won't be something I will have to worry about.

[ELP]

This is all fantastic info ladies, thankyou:) The paleo sounds like a good idea, I know 3pink1blue ate this way when ttc her son Charlie:)

[Rosie85]

As much as the paleo diet helps and seems like a miracle...it would never fly in my house. DS1 is soooooooooooo picky. I myself could never live off just fruit veggies and meat. I hardly like meat at all. I do want to eat less grain but it's the hardest thing to cut.

This also doesn't seem to give reason as to why there has been an increase in autism, Diet wise we have been eating the same stuff for the last 30 years.

[The Anchor]

This also doesn't seem to give reason as to why there has been an increase in autism, Diet wise we have been eating the same stuff for the last 30 years.

This is cutting to the chase for me. What have we REALLY been doing differently the last 30 years? I mean, there's the whole vaccine debate...BUT...I read a really interesting article on autism (I'll see if I can find it) that suggests that electro magnetic fields and radio frequencies (cell phones) have the ability to alter the neuron paths in a fetus or newborn. All the computer gadgets, cordless phones, wi-fi and other gadgets can be contributors. Caught my attention because I had Rosie's same thought.

[Mrs_P]

i am fairly certain vaccines aren't too blame, my son showed signs well before that they were just subtle looking back now

[Ribbons]

DS1 has autism. I ate a TERRIBLE diet with him. I ate off of the WIC program (mostly rice, white bread with margarine, mayo, white pasta, regular soda and lots and lots of canned tuna - they didn't warn you about it back then.) No veggies. Terrible diet. I also smoked until I was almost 4 months pg (I was 18 at the time, single and very poor).

DS2 is neurotypical, brilliant, very social and already beginning to read - he just turned 3. I was Weston Price (a lot like paleo, but does include some specially prepared grains - I didn't eat a lot of those) during my pregnancy with him. Lots of veggies, meat and cheese, all organic. Less fish, but I did eat a good amount for the omega-3s - mostly wild-caught fish, and never ate high-mercury fish like tuna. Took cod liver oil during my pg with him. I'm doing the same for this pg!

I believe wholeheartedly that a good-quality diet during pregnancy is totally key. I very much regret all that high-mercury tuna (and smoking of course) when pg with DS1 for sure.

[Ribbons]

This is cutting to the chase for me. What have we REALLY been doing differently the last 30 years? I mean, there's the whole vaccine debate...BUT...I read a really interesting article on autism (I'll see if I can find it) that suggests that electro magnetic fields and radio frequencies (cell phones) have the ability to alter the neuron paths in a fetus or newborn. All the computer gadgets, cordless phones, wi-fi and other gadgets can be contributors. Caught my attention because I had Rosie's same thought.

This may be possible - but not in my case. With DS1, there was 1 computer in the house, 1 *small* television, no cordless phones or cell-phones. Definitely no wi-fi, this was 1996. Now my husband works from home in computer software sales and has a server farm in our house (lots of computers) - we have multiple cell phones and a ridiculous amount of wi-fi surging through here. I was pg with DS2 in this environment and he is fine.

As far as vaccines go, I am not sure... DS1 was fully vaccinated according to CDC schedule, DS2 hasn't gotten any vaccines yet but we are planning on the important ones before he starts kindergarten.

[Rosie85]

I agree anchor. The last 30 years for me this is what I have decided is different

-Computers and wireless, laptops--which people set near their reproductive organs.

-Doctors are better at diagnosing illnesses

-More medications, doctors are quicker to give them too

-More vaccines are given at once and then we are told to give tylenol to the kid--seriously do some reading up on tylenol, you won't like what you find.

-More chemicals have been introduced in foods, cleaners...etc etc.

-The obesity rates have gone up considerably

-Many viruses have been mutating

-Global warming

I am definitely not saying one or the other caused anything I was simply listing changes that have been noted in the last 30 years that have impacted human life in major ways.

I am sure there is more to give to the list too.

We have also had positive changes in the last 10 years with the green and organic spike with foods and products. I wonder if there is less prevalence of autism in homes where the families are extremely green in all ways. I really think it would have to be extreme to make any difference though.

[Rosie85]

oh I wanted to also put the alarming rates of c-sections and inductions in labor and delivery. There has been interest in those as a cause of autism as well. It was studied that those with difficult labor and long push times/ c-sections were more likely to have a child with developmental issues.

[Ribbons]

oh I wanted to also put the alarming rates of c-sections and inductions in labor and delivery. There has been interest in those as a cause of autism as well. It was studied that those with difficult labor and long push times/ c-sections were more likely to have a child with developmental issues.

Good point! I should have added that earlier too. DS1 was hospital induced delivery with drugs, DS2 was a drug-free home birth (and DS3 will be as well). I don't think this is a cause of autism per say, but I do believe that having interventions in the birth process does a lot of untold damage that we don't quite understand yet.

I think that I am now one of those "extreme green" people that you mention. DS1's autism diagnosis was what started me down that path. I STRONGLY believe it is genetic and the environmental stuff is the trigger - have a HIGH prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in both my immediate and extended families - father (Aspergers), brother (Aspergers), 2 nephews, a niece (my brothers daughter - ASD), 2 cousins and possibly even myself. Not taking any chances.

[Rosie85]

Ribbons, I think that is what people don't understand. They seem to need autism to be caused by one thing or think since everyone doesn't have it it can't possibly be that. That is NOT what it is about it is like YOU said...the triggers. I the womb I believe a baby will be predisposed to it, whether it was from a bum egg/sperm or because it runs in the genes. Triggers can come from anywhere and each child will be different.

I too try and stay away from chemicals like crazy, we use green cleaners and try to stay to a minimum with processed foods and such. It isn't worth taking the chance for me.

[Ribbons]

Tying all of this back into gender swaying theories - I have been wondering lately if families with high prevalence of autism have more sons than daughters?? Just a wild theory of mine backed up by no facts whatsoever, but it would be interesting to see a study. I know that autism disorders are more prevalent in males... is that because the females who carry those genes are fewer/far between, and they mostly produce sons whether or not they themselves exhibit autistic traits? Most of the families/family lines I know with multiple autism diagnoses have mostly boys, including my own. I am beginning to think that I might not be able to produce girls at all, even with swaying (I'm pretty sure that I am a borderline aspie). Sorry for the minor tangent, but I find all this stuff so fascinating :)

[Rosie85]

That is a very interesting theory. I have noticed the same thing with families with a high number of boys and autism cases. it doesn't fit with natural selection though...women who carry a heavy gene for autism should be more likely to have girls to safeguard against the disability- not saying that's how it is but how it should be! Don't you think??! If nature "knows" what is going on you think that's what you would see but it's obviously not since we both see a pattern. I know a lady with 4 boys and each one has autism...they vary hugely on the spectrum too.

I have also read older moms or moms who have a harder time getting pregnant are more likely to carry a child who will have autism. I have always wondered why.

I wish we lived closer so we could get together and study into this farther!

[Ribbons]

That is a very interesting theory. I have noticed the same thing with families with a high number of boys and autism cases. it doesn't fit with natural selection though...women who carry a heavy gene for autism should be more likely to have girls to safeguard against the disability- not saying that's how it is but how it should be! Don't you think??! If nature "knows" what is going on you think that's what you would see but it's obviously not since we both see a pattern. I know a lady with 4 boys and each one has autism...they vary hugely on the spectrum too.

Unless it's not really a disability but perhaps something that has an evolutionary advantage we don't understand (high intelligence, determined personalities, savant abilities etc) and the environmental disturbances that made those mutations gone awry are too new for nature to have adapted yet? :)

If you ever watch TED talks, you should check out Temple Grandin!

[Rosie85]

Very true. I actually was speaking with my sons therapists in a meeting and one of them strongly believes neurotypical people will one day be the minority, that being on the spectrum will be the norm. I would say evolutionary wise perhaps the high functioning people would have an advantage but what about the low functioning? I wonder if severe autism is becoming more common too or just the aspergers/high functioning sort.

With the technology and the way the social world is I think neurotypical people are already at a disadvantage but in my opinion the world has been moving in the wrong direction and I wish we could get back to the roots of real communication.

[Ribbons]

I think we are onto something here :)

http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2011/09/28/a-surplus-of-males/

Extreme Male Brain | Understanding Research | Interactive Autism Network Community | Share. Research. Discover. (http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/understanding_research/extreme_male_brain)

[Rosie85]

I am excited to read those. It will have to wait until after lunch!

[nuthinbutpink]

It seems to me that since it does mostly affect boys, you have to consider the source- the Y Chromosome.

This article talks about some recent studies- http://m.cbsnews.com/fullstory.rbml?catid=57409471&feed_id=5&videofeed=41

[Rosie85]

"The factor that produces autistic baby boys might result in unsuccessful pregnancies when the fetus is female. The result – fewer baby girls with autism are born"

"The son-daughter imbalance certainly ties in with the Baron-Cohen “maleness” theory. If autism indeed an expression of excessively male genetic material, that imbalance might result in more males being born in those families."

Very interesting....this goes along with what you were saying Ribbons!

[Rosie85]

The extreme male brain--testosterone levels theory is beyond fascinating!!! So what would cause excessive testosterone??

[Rosie85]

Interesting JJC, that would be a wonderful read, I hope you find it.

[Ribbons]

The extreme male brain--testosterone levels theory is beyond fascinating!!! So what would cause excessive testosterone??

I don't know, but if we ever find out... I'll be really happy to hear :) As it is, I'm DEFINITELY going HT for the next round, if there is a next round. I don't think I can make girls!

[Rosie85]

Ribbons I feel like I don't make girls either. If this is another boy I am giving up completely as my husband drank enough energy drinks to reduce his sperm to practically nothing, haha. We have already discussed going the route of adoption.

[Zivic-Bubac]

As a boy swayer I will be interested in all thoughts on this subject in general as it affects more boys than girls.

This is off the topic, but I have to ask: Charlotte sweeti, did I understand this well? Are you planning a little bro for your golden baby boy David? ( let's say in a year or so? :wink: :)

[ELP]

This is off the topic, but I have to ask: Charlotte sweeti, did I understand this well? Are you planning a little bro for your golden baby boy David? ( let's say in a year or so? :wink: :)

Definately ZB!! And I'm hoping you'll be swaying along with me:bigsmile: I'm thinking as soon as cycles return which coul be between now and 6 months time, so if your not ready for this time then we can always go for next time!!:rofl:

[ELP]

I was thinking about the past 30 years in regards to lifestyle changes. I reckon the biggest thing I'd notice is definately the increase in processed foods we have available now, we always sat down to a fresh cooked meal, no turkey twizzlers or smiley potato faces. And the daily selection of sweets that I know I eat now, we thought a digestive biscuit was something special.

Thanks again for the info ladies:agree:

[Zivic-Bubac]

And I'm hoping you'll be swaying along with me:bigsmile:
Ha, ha, you bet I will!!! Looking forward to it! :agree: :)