Study Finds Higher Risk of Autistic Traits in Children With Prenatal PFAS Exposure, Mitigated by Pre-Pregnancy Folic Acid Use
New research involving 1,610 mother-child pairs from the Shanghai Birth Cohort found that prenatal exposure to certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may increase the risk of autistic traits in children, particularly in those with a high genetic predisposition. Researchers measured PFAS levels in maternal blood during the first trimester and assessed children’s autistic traits at age 4 using the social responsiveness scale. They observed a threefold higher risk of autistic traits linked to prenatal PFOA exposure, which was reduced in cases where mothers reported taking folic acid before pregnancy. Additionally, prenatal exposure to PFHxS combined with a high polygenic risk score for autism further elevated the likelihood of autistic traits. The findings highlight the potential interactive role of environmental toxins and genetic susceptibility in autism risk and underscore the need for further investigation into preventive measures and underlying mechanisms.
