According to the University of California - Davis Health System, mothers who are iron deficient are found place their child at greater risk for autism. Thus, the intake of iron supplements and the other means of taking iron to combat or prevent the deficiency during pregnancy must be considered by pregnant women as an urgent priority.
Children born to iron deficient mothers who are 35 and older are found to be 5 times more at risk of autism, other autism spectrum disorders and other metabolic conditions.
Rebecca J. Schmidt, assistant professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences and a researcher affiliated with the MIND Institute, said "the association between lower maternal iron intake and increased ASD risk was strongest during breastfeeding, after adjustment for folic acid intake.".
Professor Schmidt shared that "iron deficiency, and its resultant anemia, is the most common nutrient deficiency, especially during pregnancy, affecting 40 to 50 percent of women and their infants."
Iron is highly optimal in the development of the brain and its facilities during the early gestation period. Iron also contributes to neurotransmitter production, myelination and immune function. Brain development, neurotransmitter production and regulation as well as myelination and the development of immune function are found to be strongly involved in the development of autism.
Iron deficiencies are a common occurrence in women, this is especially for malnourished women and those who have problems with metabolism.
Schmidt concluded, "In the meantime the takeaway message for women is do what your doctor recommends. Take vitamins throughout pregnancy and take the recommended daily dosage. If there are side effects, talk to your doctor about how to address them."
As of 2014, about 1% of the world's population has an autism spectrum disorder. In America, 3.5 million individuals live with autism or any other in the autism spectrum disorder. Autism is one of the conditions that costs the Americans the most - every year, services for adults with autism costs $175-196 billion while the services for autism-stricken children cost $61-66 billion.
