A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) suggests a potential link between the consumption of diet soda or other products containing aspartame by pregnant or breastfeeding women and an increased risk of autism diagnoses in their male offspring. The study, however, does not establish causality but raises concerns about the potential association.
The study examined the reported aspartame consumption of mothers of 235 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and compared these findings with a control group of 121 children with typical neurological development. Notably, the male offspring with autism were over three times more likely to have been exposed to aspartame-sweetened products daily during pregnancy or breastfeeding compared to their neurotypical counterparts. This association was observed for boys with autism disorder, specifically, and not all autism spectrum disorders.
The study does have limitations, such as the retrospective collection of dietary data several years after pregnancy and nursing experiences, and the majority of autism cases in the study being male. The researchers emphasize the need for larger prospective studies with a more balanced gender distribution to explore these relationships further.
The findings align with previous reports dating back to 2010, which have highlighted potential health risks associated with women’s consumption of diet beverages during pregnancy. These risks include increased prematurity rates and a higher likelihood of overweight or obesity in offspring.
Dr. Sharon Parten Fowler, the lead author of the study, recommends that pregnant, nursing, or women considering pregnancy avoid aspartame-containing drinks as a precautionary measure. She notes that sweeteners used in diet beverages have been found in the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus and the child’s umbilical cord blood, indicating that these substances can pass through the placenta and potentially affect the developing fetus.
Dr. Robert Melillo, a brain and autism researcher unaffiliated with the study, suggests that the rise in autism rates over the past decades may be attributed to environmental factors, including the consumption of substances like aspartame during pregnancy. He advises women to refrain from diet sodas and aspartame-containing products for at least six months before getting pregnant to reduce the risk of having a child with autism or another developmental disability.
