Lithium levels in tap water may be linked to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children born to mothers exposed during pregnancy, according to a new study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. The research found a modest but significant association between lithium exposure and an increased risk of ASD diagnosis.
The study, which analyzed data from over 8,800 cases of ASD and 43,864 participants without ASD, found that children born to mothers exposed to higher levels of lithium during pregnancy had a 24% to 26% higher risk of ASD diagnosis compared to those at the lowest exposure level. The group with the highest exposure had a 46% higher risk.
However, experts caution that this association does not show a direct link between lithium exposure and ASD diagnosis. "Any drinking water contaminants that may affect the developing human brain deserve intense scrutiny," said study co-author Dr. Beate Ritz, but further research is needed to confirm the findings.
The implications of the study's findings are complex, as lithium levels in water have also been linked with health benefits such as lower rates of hospitalization for psychiatric disorders and suicide. "If all these associations are valid, the wisdom of Solomon will be required to develop guidelines for lithium in drinking water that are maximally protective of the entire population," said Dr. David C. Bellinger.
Other researchers point out that the study's findings should not be taken as conclusive evidence of a causal link between lithium exposure and ASD. "It's an interesting association, but causation is definitely not proven," said Dr. Max Wiznitzer, director of the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland.
While there have been studies suggesting connections between ASD and environmental exposures to things like pesticides, air pollution, and phthalates, none have pinpointed a direct cause of the disorder. "A link between environmental exposure and ASD is hard to prove," Wiznitzer said. "We are bombarded with a variety of environmental stressors in our everyday lives. We have to figure out how to basically safely navigate them, and this is probably not one that's high on our list."
In conclusion, while the study's findings suggest a potential link between lithium exposure and an increased risk of ASD diagnosis, further research is needed to confirm the association and establish a causal link.
The study, which analyzed data from over 8,800 cases of ASD and 43,864 participants without ASD, found that children born to mothers exposed to higher levels of lithium during pregnancy had a 24% to 26% higher risk of ASD diagnosis compared to those at the lowest exposure level. The group with the highest exposure had a 46% higher risk.
However, experts caution that this association does not show a direct link between lithium exposure and ASD diagnosis. "Any drinking water contaminants that may affect the developing human brain deserve intense scrutiny," said study co-author Dr. Beate Ritz, but further research is needed to confirm the findings.
The implications of the study's findings are complex, as lithium levels in water have also been linked with health benefits such as lower rates of hospitalization for psychiatric disorders and suicide. "If all these associations are valid, the wisdom of Solomon will be required to develop guidelines for lithium in drinking water that are maximally protective of the entire population," said Dr. David C. Bellinger.
Other researchers point out that the study's findings should not be taken as conclusive evidence of a causal link between lithium exposure and ASD. "It's an interesting association, but causation is definitely not proven," said Dr. Max Wiznitzer, director of the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland.
While there have been studies suggesting connections between ASD and environmental exposures to things like pesticides, air pollution, and phthalates, none have pinpointed a direct cause of the disorder. "A link between environmental exposure and ASD is hard to prove," Wiznitzer said. "We are bombarded with a variety of environmental stressors in our everyday lives. We have to figure out how to basically safely navigate them, and this is probably not one that's high on our list."
In conclusion, while the study's findings suggest a potential link between lithium exposure and an increased risk of ASD diagnosis, further research is needed to confirm the association and establish a causal link.
i just had it on the brain lol like how does that even happen?? i remember reading about this stuff on wikipedia and it said something about some factory or something releasing chemicals into the water supply 
anyway back to lithium, is it like super bad for u or whats up with the health benefits part? 
like my friend's cousin has autism and i feel so bad for her but idk if it's even related to tap water 
? im all for being safe than sorry, so yeah, let's do more research on this one. i mean, lithium has its benefits too, like lower rates of hospitalization for psychiatric disorders and suicide... but at what cost? 
. And don't even get me started on the experts trying to downplay it 
. "Further research is needed"... yeah, sure, because that's not what scientists are paid for 
. Can't we just have a clear answer for once? 