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Autism Spectrum Disorder and Prenatal or Early Life Exposure to Pesticides: A Short Review

Author

Listed:
  • Alessandro Miani

    (Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA), 20123 Milan, Italy
    Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Giovanni Imbriani

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Università del Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Giovanni De Filippis

    (Local Health Authority ASL Le, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Medical Professional Association (OMCEO), 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Donato De Giorgi

    (Local Health Authority ASL Le, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Medical Professional Association (OMCEO), 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Luigi Peccarisi

    (Local Health Authority ASL Le, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Medical Professional Association (OMCEO), 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Manuela Colangelo

    (Italian Association for Health, Environment and Society (AISAS), 73023 Lizzanello, Italy)

  • Manuela Pulimeno

    (Staff UNESCO Chair on Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, 80100 Naples, Italy)

  • Maria Domenica Castellone

    (National Research Council (CNR-IEOS), 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Nicolardi

    (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Università del Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Giancarlo Logroscino

    (Department of Basic Medicine Sciences, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy)

  • Prisco Piscitelli

    (Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA), 20123 Milan, Italy
    Staff UNESCO Chair on Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, 80100 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

Background : Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses have rapidly increased globally. Both environmental and genetic factors appear to contribute to the development of ASD. Several studies have shown a potential association between prenatal or postnatal pesticide exposure and the risk of developing ASD. Methods : We reviewed the available literature concerning the relationship between early life exposure to pesticides used in agriculture, such as organochlorines, organophosphates and pyrethroids, and ASD onset in childhood. We searched on Medline and Scopus for cohort or case–control studies published in English from 1977 to 2020. Results : A total of seven articles were selected for the review. We found a remarkable association between the maternal exposure to pyrethroid, as well as the exposure to organophosphate during pregnancy or in the first years of childhood, and the risk of ASD onset. This association was found to be less evident with organochlorine pesticides. Pregnancy seems to be the time when pesticide exposure appears to have the greatest impact on the onset of ASD in children. Conclusions : Among the different environmental pollutants, pesticides should be considered as emerging risk factors for ASD. The potential association identified between the exposure to pesticides and ASD needs to be implemented and confirmed by further epidemiological studies based on individual assessment both in outdoor and indoor conditions, including multiple confounding factors, and using statistical models that take into account single and multiple pesticide residues.

Suggested Citation

  • Alessandro Miani & Giovanni Imbriani & Giovanni De Filippis & Donato De Giorgi & Luigi Peccarisi & Manuela Colangelo & Manuela Pulimeno & Maria Domenica Castellone & Giuseppe Nicolardi & Giancarlo Log, 2021. "Autism Spectrum Disorder and Prenatal or Early Life Exposure to Pesticides: A Short Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10991-:d:659935
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marsha K. Morgan, 2012. "Children’s Exposures to Pyrethroid Insecticides at Home: A Review of Data Collected in Published Exposure Measurement Studies Conducted in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Marcello Iriti & Prisco Piscitelli & Eduardo Missoni & Alessandro Miani, 2020. "Air Pollution and Health: The Need for a Medical Reading of Environmental Monitoring Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-6, March.
    3. Judit Biosca-Brull & Cristian Pérez-Fernández & Santiago Mora & Beatriz Carrillo & Helena Pinos & Nelida Maria Conejo & Paloma Collado & Jorge L. Arias & Fernando Martín-Sánchez & Fernando Sánchez-San, 2021. "Relationship between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Pesticides: A Systematic Review of Human and Preclinical Models," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-30, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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