August 07, 2023
- A study led by Kaiser Permanente has found an association between autism-related traits in children and mothers who experienced depression while pregnant. Using data from the Environmental influences of Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, researchers found that children whose mothers had prenatal depression were more likely to exhibit social, communication and behavioral issues. The study analyzed 33 cohorts and 3,994 parent-child pairs. A secondary analysis showed a stronger relationship between more severe maternal depression diagnosis and child autism-related traits.
- Time Magazine recently featured an article written by a neuroscience Ph.D. student with autism who suggests that autism research is teetering on the verge of sampling bias by including a narrow band of “researchable autistics,” and expecting the findings of this limited research to apply to everyone on the spectrum. The author urges scientists to increase the representation of all people with differing levels of autism in their studies and reconsider research methodologies and tasks involved to include a broader spectrum profile.
- According to recent research, maternal exposure to aircraft particulate matter (PM) during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of autism in children. These associations remained after adjusting for total PM and on-road traffic emissions. The results of this study suggest that the risk of autism is independent of the effect of total PM mass, road traffic air pollutants, and noise.
- The U.S. Department of Transportation is finalizing regulations requiring new commercial aircraft with 125 or more seats to offer accessible lavatories for people with disabilities. Under these new rules, bathrooms must be large enough to allow a passenger with a disability and an attendant to approach, enter, and maneuver as necessary. The new requirements will apply to new single-aisle aircraft with 125 seats or more ordered ten years or delivered 12 years after the rule’s effective date.
- Don’t miss TACA’s monthly learning series on Diet and Nutrition. These free webinars will be available throughout August and cover the following topics: No Control: MSG Addiction and America’s Health Crisis, So Many Choices! Designing a Diet for Your Child, and Family Support Panel: Diet & Nutrition.
