Tips to minimize the risk of having an Autism affected child

May 3, 2024, by Vaccinebox

It is the biggest blessing for a mother to give birth to a healthy baby. Life becomes upside down when parents discover that their young one is suffering from Autism. Pregnancy is the most important journey, which if completed with certain cautions can help avoid such a mishap in parents’ lives.

So, what exactly is autism?

Autism is an array of closely related neurodevelopmental disorders that appear during the baby’s early years of growth. It can hamper the baby’s ability to reach social milestones like smiling, babbling, and learning to talk, play and interact with others.

What causes Autism?

Autism may or may not run in one’s family. It was earlier believed that autism is caused mainly by genetic defects and is hereditary. Recent studies show the correlation of many environmental factors with Autism. It can be concluded from these studies that, Autistic babies are genetically wired to have autism. There has to be a trigger present in the baby’s immediate environment to develop this disease. This can happen in the mother's womb or soon after the baby is born. Mothers have to shield their delicate unborn and newborn babies from the harsh effects of toxins and pathogens, known to cause developmental defects in the baby’s brain or central nervous system.

Tips for Moms to be, to reduce the risk of autism

Get proper nutrition

Eat a well-balanced nutritious diet while pregnant. Newborn babies who are underweight and anaemic at birth can have autism later.

Take multivitamins

Take the recommended amount of 400 micrograms of folic acid daily from at least a month before conception to help prevent neural birth defects such as Spina bifida and maybe Autism.

Don’t take more than 1,000 mcg per day of folic acid unless your doctor advises you to. This is particularly important if you are completely vegetarian and do not even consume milk products. The rationale behind this precaution is that vegans are at risk of being deficient in vitamin B12 (mainly found in animal products) and taking excess folic acid will mask this deficiency leading to Anemia.

Excessive levels of folate as well as high levels of Vitamin B12 in expectant mothers seemed to raise the risk of autism spectrum disorders in children according to a recent study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. However, the recommendation of folic acid supplements with diet for pregnant mothers remains the same owing to the benefits of this vitamin in fetal development. There may be other factors in high-risk mothers, like having a slow metabolism or not being able to metabolize vitamins well, responsible for this correlation.

Keep yourself hydrated with enough liquids and water throughout the day. Since Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, the excess amount is easily flushed out of the system through urine, when the optimum amount of water is consumed.

In pregnancy, multivitamins should always be taken with a doctor’s consultation only.

Avoid antidepressant medicines

Some women develop depression during the First trimester or later. Antidepressant pills can increase the risk of autism development in babies. Depression if left untreated can also affect the child born to a depressed mother. All Medicines should only be taken as per the gynaecologist's advice during the pregnancy.

Prevent infections

It is best to maintain a healthy lifestyle and fitness regime during pregnancy. It also makes sense to stay away from sick people. Rubella virus infection is known to cause several birth defects along with autism in fetuses. Congenital Rubella syndrome can be prevented from occurring in babies by the Rubella vaccine given to women of childbearing age or as early as women become pregnant.

Stay away from chemical pollutants

A healthy diet consisting of fresh vegetables and fruits is recommended during pregnancy. But, wash them properly to remove the layer of pesticides that may be present on their surface. Avoid packaged foods like microwave or oven-ready meals loaded with preservatives. Look for BPA-free plastic ware and bottles only for family use. Limit the use of non-stick pans. Say goodbye to your favourite strong feminine fragrance containing perfumes, moisturizers, body wash gels etc. for golden soon-to-be mommy months.

Do not get home-painted

Avoid exposure to toxic chemicals and fumes released from fresh paint or solvents used for painting the house while pregnant and breastfeeding.

So, please take care of all these things during pregnancy to give birth to a healthy baby. You may be able to save a child destined to become autistic by certain lifestyle changes.