Research Finds Boys Born to Mothers with Elevated BPA Levels Are Significantly More Likely to Develop ASD
A recent study conducted in Australia and published in Nature Communications reveals a concerning link between bisphenol A (BPA), a common plastic chemical, and an increased risk of autism in boys. Researchers from Florey Institute found that mothers with higher BPA levels in their urine during pregnancy had sons who were 3.5 times more likely to show autism symptoms by age 2 and 6 times more likely to receive an autism diagnosis by age 11. The study, which analyzed data from large birth cohorts in Australia and the USA, identifies a biological mechanism behind this connection: BPA disrupts hormone-controlled brain development by suppressing the aromatase enzyme, essential for converting testosterone to neuroestrogen. This suppression was particularly evident in boys with lower aromatase levels. The findings highlight the widespread exposure to BPA through food, air, and skin contact, emphasizing the urgent need for updated safety guidelines on plastic chemicals during pregnancy to potentially reduce autism risk. The study also suggests that further research into alternative treatments, such as the fatty acid 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid, could offer new avenues for mitigating BPA’s effects.
