Cited by 121Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchPesticide Exposure and ToxicityFolate and B Vitamins Research

Combined Prenatal Pesticide Exposure and Folic Acid Intake in Relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Schmidt, Rebecca J., Kogan, Vladimir, Shelton, Janie F., Delwiche, Lora, Hansen, Robin L., Ozonoff, Sally, Ma, Claudia C., McCanlies, Erin C. +4 more·2017·Environmental Health Perspectives

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Maternal folic acid (FA) protects against developmental toxicity from certain environmental chemicals. OBJECTIVE: We examined combined exposures to maternal FA and pesticides in relation to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Participants were California children born from 2000-2007 who were enrolled in the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE) case-control study at age 2-5 y, were clinically confirmed to have ASD (n=296) or typical development (n=220), and had information on maternal supplemental FA and pesticide exposures. Maternal supplemental FA and household pesticide product use were retrospectively collected in telephone interviews from 2003-2011. High vs. low daily FA intake was dichotomized at 800μg (median). Mothers' addresses were linked to a statewide database of commercial applications to estimate agricultural pesticide exposure. RESULTS: High FA intake (≥800μg) during the first pregnancy month and no known pesticide exposure was the reference group for all analyses. Compared with this group, ASD was increased in association with <800μg FA and any indoor pesticide exposure {adjusted odds ratio [OR]=2.5 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3, 4.7]} compared with low FA [OR=1.2 (95% CI: 0.7, 2.2)] or indoor pesticides [OR=1.7 (95% CI: 1.1, 2.8)] alone. ORs for the combination of low FA and regular pregnancy exposure (≥6 mo) to pet pesticides or to outdoor sprays and foggers were 3.9 (95% CI: 1.4, 11.5) and 4.1 (95% CI: 1.7, 10.1), respectively. ORs for low maternal FA and agricultural pesticide exposure 3 mo before or after conception were 2.2 (95% CI: 0.7, 6.5) for chlorpyrifos, 2.3 (95% CI: 0.98, 5.3) for organophosphates, 2.1 (95% CI: 0.9, 4.8) for pyrethroids, and 1.5 (95% CI: 0.5, 4.8) for carbamates. Except for carbamates, these ORs were approximately two times greater than those for either exposure alone or for the expected ORs for combined exposures under multiplicative or additive models. CONCLUSIONS: In this study population, associations between pesticide exposures and ASD were attenuated among those with high versus low FA intake during the first month of pregnancy. Confirmatory and mechanistic studies are needed. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP604.

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  • A recent study showed that associations between pesticide exposures and ASD were modulated by folate intake during the first month of pregnancy, with evidence of a cumulative risk for environmental effects in autism.

    “a recent study showed that associations between pesticide exposures and ASD were modulated by folate intake during the first month of pregnancy [255] with evidence of a cumulative risk for environmental effects in autism [32].”

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  1. Sparrow SS, Balla DA, Cicchetti DV 1984 Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Interview Edition Expanded Form Manual. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Services, Inc.

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Authors
Schmidt, R. J., Kogan, V., Shelton, J. F., Delwiche, L., Hansen, R. L., Ozonoff, S., Ma, C. C., McCanlies, E. C., Bennett, D. H., Hertz-Picciotto, I., Tancredi, D. J., & Volk, H. E.
Affiliations
  • University of California, Davis (US)
  • University of Southern California (US)
  • Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
  • Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California, USA
Corresponding author
Schmidt, Rebecca J.
Venue
Environmental Health Perspectives
Published
2017-09-22
Volume
125
Issue
9
Pages
097007-097007
ISSN
  • 0091-6765 (ISSN-L)
  • 1552-9924
OpenAlex
W2758822430
Cited by
121
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 1
FWCI
6.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
public-domain
Locations
  • Environmental Health Perspectives (publishedVersion, public-domain)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Autism Speaks (R01-ES015359)
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (R-829388, R-833292, U54HD079125, 829388)
  • Pfizer
  • University of Southern California
  • National Institutes of Health (R833292, ES023513, ES11269)
  • University of California, Davis
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (R21ES019002, R01ES015359, P01ES011269, R21ES021330, P30ES023513)
  • National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (U54HD079125, K12HD051958)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Folate and B Vitamins Research
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, maternal folic acid supplementation, pesticide exposure, prenatal exposure, agricultural pesticide exposure, chlorpyrifos, organophosphates, pyrethroid insecticides, carbamates, developmental toxicity, neurodevelopmental outcomes, CHARGE study, combined exposure
MeSH terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adult, California, Child, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Environmental Pollutants, Female, Folic Acid, Humans, Male, Pesticides, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Case-Control Studies, Maternal Exposure, Dietary Supplements

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