Australia

The recent research about plastic being the cause of autism discusses how the presence of a hard plastic called bisphenol A or BPA in most plastic containers can be the reason for neurodevelopmental disorders, especially in boys. 

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The study asserts that BPA does not play a direct role in causing autism; however, BPA does affect estrogen levels in boys aged 0 to 10, which puts them at a high risk of suffering from autism.

Let’s understand what is BPA

BPA is a chemical compound that is found in most food containers and cups made of plastic. These plastic containers are widely used all over the world, exposing almost all people to low levels of BPA every passing day. The distress about the BPA compound is that it does put us at risk of autism; it affects the hormone estrogen in our body, and even though it only makes a slight difference, it does raise a concern about our well-being because we have been in contact with it throughout our lives. As a precaution, countries like Austria have banned the presence of BPA in baby bottles.

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Professor Anne Louise, head of Florey’s neuroepidemiology research group, who led this research with his partner Dr Wah Chin Boo, said, “Exposure to plastic chemicals during pregnancy has already been shown in studies to be associated with subsequent autism in offspring." also added, “Our work is important because it demonstrates one of the biological mechanisms potentially involved.”

Understanding autism: What it is and its causes 

It is a clinical condition that affects the neurodevelopment of a human, where a person diagnosed with it can struggle with basic human behaviours such as interacting with others, communicating, understanding certain tasks, or even behaving slightly differently from other humans. 

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According to the World Health Organization, autism is diagnosed in 1 in 100 children worldwide. Data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 1 in 36 children suffer from autism. It also states that this condition is four times more common in males than females. 

Current data shows an increase in the percentage of autism; in 2016, 1 in 56 children had autism. In 2018, Autism Spectrum Australia estimated a 40% increase in autism worldwide.

People suffering from autism have varied experiences, such as seizures, discoordination in motor functions (e.g., difficulties in walking or holding a pencil), anxiety, trouble sleeping, and digestive issues, which are among the most common problems faced. It is also said that people with autism experience life in very uncommon ways compared to others. It is also seen most autistic people excel in certain fields and even fit well into a community, but there are also a large number of people with autism who need 24/7 care.

There is a strong relationship between genetics and autism; more than 1,000 genes can be responsible for autism. Even recent studies have not been able to determine the exact reason. Although some studies have proven that specific genes are responsible for this condition, genes with complex fusions of various genes, which can be difficult to detect, may be responsible. Environmental factors also play a major role, such as anti-seizure medication for pregnant women, which can affect their child's risk of developing autism.

Study on humans

In the study, the researchers examined 1,074 Australian children and found that 43 of them were diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder, with 14 being female and 23 being boys, with an average age of up to 9.

The researchers collected 874 urine samples from pregnant women to estimate the amount of BPA present. The study mainly focused on the aromatase enzyme, which transforms neuroandrogens, a type of male sex hormone present in the brain, into neuroestrogens, a female hormone, during fetal formation. Aromatase presence is high in males, and studies have proven that high levels of bisphenol can disrupt the aromatase function.

In other words, a high amount of BPA can cause deregulation of the aromatase enzyme, which increases the risk of a child developing autism.

What they found in mice?

The team also studied the effects of BPA on mice. They exposed the mice to BPA in the womb, and those exposed to BPA showed differences in their behaviour, such as less social approach behaviour and repetitive behaviour. The conclusion drawn was that BPA is responsible for affecting oestrogen production in the brain and creating slight differences in the neurons of the mice.

The conclusion drawn from the study 

Researchers found, based on the mice experiment, that the enzyme aromatase does get affected by the BPA level present in the body, which can create slight differences in the secretion of estrogen hormone during fetal development. 

However, not all babies born to women with high BPA levels in their urine had autism, which tells us that BPA alone is not the reason for causing autism. Other factors, like environmental influences and specific gene formations, play a major role in causing neurodevelopmental disorders. The study does hint that high levels of BPA could put babies at risk for autism.

(With inputs from agencies)