A new study, the largest of its kind, revealed a “complicated link” between artificially-induced or augmented labor and an increased risk of autism.
Researchers reviewed the birth and health records of 625,000 babies and discovered, according to a Time Healthland article, a 23 percent increase in the likelihood of an autism diagnosis for the babies of women who are induced.
Scientists are eager to point out that the study has not revealed induction as a cause of autism:
“It’s not clear whether the delivery method was responsible for the higher rate of the developmental disorder, or whether babies with autism don’t send the proper signals for a timely and speedy birth.”
Furthermore, the studies lead author, Simon Gregory, told the Bloomberg Report that it’s important to remember that induced labors often save lives:
“The results don’t dictate there be any change in any clinical practices surrounding birth. The dangers to the mothers and the infants by not inducting or augmenting far outweigh the elevated risk for development of autism.”
Male babies appeared to be more affected by birth procedures than females in this study, showing a 35 percent greater risk for autism. Additionally, autism risk in male babies increased when born to mothers whose labor was induced or augmented, while female babies’ risk increased only as a result of a mother’s labor augmentation.
The results of this study are just another drop in the bucket of ongoing autism research. A reported one in 50 children in the U.S. are given an autism or other related spectrum disorder diagnosis.
Oxytocin (brand name Pitocin), a drug used to both induce and augment labor, has been associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, including lower Apgar scores.
I had one hellish Pitocin birth, which was apparently far harder on me than my child, and one relatively-peaceful birth which progressed without the need for Pitocin. With zero experience with autism, I’m not sure how this information contributes to the effort to discover what causes and how to prevent it.
I suppose it’s good to know that scientists are leaving no stone unturned but with one in ever 50 children getting diagnosed, it would be even better to have some clear answers.
Share your thoughts