Increased Risk of Toxicity in Children with Autism and ADHD

In recent years, diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have significantly risen, prompting ongoing research into the factors contributing to these conditions.

Key Findings on BPA Processing in Children

A 2023 study highlighted a key difference in how children with autism and ADHD process bisphenol A (BPA), a common plastic additive, compared to neurotypical children.

BPA is widely used in plastics and food containers, but past studies have linked it to health risks such as hormone disruption, breast cancer, and infertility.

Researchers from Rowan University and Rutgers University in the US examined three groups of children: 66 with autism, 46 with ADHD, and 37 neurotypical children. They focused on glucuronidation, a chemical process that helps the body eliminate toxins from the bloodstream via urine.

Reduced BPA Detoxification in Children with ASD and ADHD

The study revealed that children with ASD and ADHD had a reduced ability to clear BPA and a similar compound, diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), compared to neurotypical children, potentially exposing them to prolonged toxic effects.

The researchers noted that children with ASD and ADHD have compromised detoxification of these two plasticizers, leading to increased exposure in their tissues.

However, the difference was only statistically significant for BPA. Children with ASD showed an 11 percent reduction in clearing BPA, and children with ADHD showed a 17 percent reduction compared to the control group.

The researchers hypothesize that genetic mutations may impair the body’s ability to detoxify BPA, allowing it to linger in the body and potentially harm neural development and function.

Genetic and Environmental Factors in ASD and ADHD

While ASD and ADHD are believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, this study suggests that both play a role. However, it is not the entire picture—some children with neurodevelopmental disorders did not show issues with clearing BPA, indicating other contributing factors.

Research is ongoing to understand the exact origins of ASD and ADHD, whether from prenatal exposure or later in life. The current data is insufficient to prove that BPA exposure directly causes either disorder.

The researchers concluded, “There is an extensive body of epidemiological evidence for a relationship between neurodevelopmental disorders and environmental pollutants such as plasticizers.”

They also noted that while the full impact of plasticizers on neurodevelopmental disorders is still unclear, the correlation found in their study indicates a significant relationship.

Read the original article on: Science Alert

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