Labor Induction and Autism

greenbeanqueen · August 2013

Have any of you read this? It claims that autism is being linked to a woman being induced into labor. I would have to do a lot more research to see if it seems legitimate, they have made so many assertions as to the cause of autism in the past that I am not sure that they really have any idea what causes autism. I can see how they would make a correlation when so many women in the US are being induced and Autism is on the rise. Thought? Comments?

wiggyslilsis · August 2013

I would definitely need to see more information on this. I am not convinced that this isn't just the same thing as the vaccines where they noticed a correlation like you said. But a correlation does not prove causation so I would need to see proof of the cause.

If it is true then I would hope that people (including doctors) would take this risk into account when making a decision about induction.

TinyTRex321 · August 2013

They say in the article that the study has not produced conclusive results. If anything I think the correlation would be more about why they are being induced and not the actual induction process. I find it interesting mainly b/c I delivered at the same hospital where the doctor is from that did the study (and I was induced) but I don't believe it's true, even they are saying they don't know if it's true.

greenbeanqueen · August 2013

I think it is so interesting to see all of their theories about what causes autism. I really hope that one day they can find a cause and ways to reduce it.

spin25 · August 2013

"Among autistic boys, almost one-third of the mothers had labor started or hastened, versus almost 29 percent of the boys without autism. The differences were less pronounced among girls."

As someone on my BMB pointed out...33% vs. 29% in boys, and less of a difference in girls? That doesn't sound like much of a difference to me.

AshleyMatt1215 · August 2013

I've worked in the Autism field for over 5 years and when we do intakes we ask about L&D - you see inductions about as many times as you'd expect given the commonality of induction. Honestly, I think the study isn't at a point where it should be released. Most research is pointing to genetics, but a lot of it isn't known because they won't release it without it being definitive. It takes years to do a study and a much larger base of students is needed - the study in question was completed in 8 years with 625,000 children, in one state. I'm betting the children studied had a lot more in common than just having an induced labor.

Plus, the rates of occurrence are significantly increased because children who aren't autistic are being diagnosed wrongly left and right. It's the new ADHD. If you sit and read the diagnostic criteria (in the DSM not on an autism website) for autism you can almost diagnose everyone with some level the disorder. I can't tell you the number of clients I've had in 5 years that aren't autistic and have had behaviors for another reason.

greenbeanqueen · August 2013

I have a good friend who has an autistic child. She has done a lot of research of autism, and was telling me about the genetic studies of it. Her points seem a lot more relevant than this article. I honestly think that right now they dont know the cause and they keep making all these ideas up, first it was vaccines and now they are saying inductions. They know people want answers and so they throw out these conjectures about possible causes after one or two studies. It's definitely interesting to see people's personal experiences.

AshleyMatt1215 · August 2013

Personally, I think we'll see a correlation between processed foods (preservatives, hormones...etc), genetics and autism some day. I truly believe it's something within genetics. The disorder isn't anything like the majority of disabilities caused by birth or birth accidents.

I really wish they'd stop putting this stuff on news outlets for people to read and assume is correct. It causes so many problems.

wiggyslilsis · August 2013

AshleyMatt1215 said:

I really wish they'd stop putting this stuff on news outlets for people to read and assume is correct. It causes so many problems.

This, definitely! Until results can be more definitive they need to stop. So many people think the news is a reliable source of information and take everything that is said without researching or even common sense. So many people don't understand that these are just studies and they certainly don't understand the difference between correlation and causation.

greenbeanqueen · August 2013

wiggyslilsis said:

I really wish they'd stop putting this stuff on news outlets for people to read and assume is correct. It causes so many problems.
This, definitely! Until results can be more definitive they need to stop. So many people think the news is a reliable source of information and take everything that is said without researching or even common sense. So many people don't understand that these are just studies and they certainly don't understand the difference between correlation and causation.

Exactly, you wouldn't believe the number of people who use Autism as an excuse not to vaccinate even though that theory has been disproven by several studies. These articles ultimately do more harm than good to people who do not have the education or knowledge to understand them.

AshleyMatt1215 · August 2013

People I work with still believe the vaccination study. :-w It drives me nuts.

carcrashheart · August 2013

well, shit. LO is really screwed then since he was induced twice!

cinderin · August 2013

I thought they had (at one point) linked Autism to the father's age (?).

If so, an older father would be more likely to have an older mother. An older mother (AMA) might be more likely to be induced...?

BackseatDriver · August 2013

AshleyMatt1215 said:
I've worked in the Autism field for over 5 years and when we do intakes we ask about L&D - you see inductions about as many times as you'd expect given the commonality of induction. Honestly, I think the study isn't at a point where it should be released. Most research is pointing to genetics, but a lot of it isn't known because they won't release it without it being definitive. It takes years to do a study and a much larger base of students is needed - the study in question was completed in 8 years with 625,000 children, in one state. I'm betting the children studied had a lot more in common than just having an induced labor.

Plus, the rates of occurrence are significantly increased because children who aren't autistic are being diagnosed wrongly left and right. It's the new ADHD. If you sit and read the diagnostic criteria (in the DSM not on an autism website) for autism you can almost diagnose everyone with some level the disorder. I can't tell you the number of clients I've had in 5 years that aren't autistic and have had behaviors for another reason.

Do you know off hand what the concordance is for MZ versus DZ twins?

sushilover0214 · August 2013

someone just posted this on my FB. I had to respond. All of you make great points.

sushilover0214 · August 2013

@AshleyMatt1215 I just wanted to let you know that I stole part of your answer for my FB response. Don't want you to think I'm a thief!

AshleyMatt1215 · August 2013

They have no direct cause of Autism that has been proven

BackseatDriver said:

AshleyMatt1215 said:
I've worked in the Autism field for over 5 years and when we do intakes we ask about L&D - you see inductions about as many times as you'd expect given the commonality of induction. Honestly, I think the study isn't at a point where it should be released. Most research is pointing to genetics, but a lot of it isn't known because they won't release it without it being definitive. It takes years to do a study and a much larger base of students is needed - the study in question was completed in 8 years with 625,000 children, in one state. I'm betting the children studied had a lot more in common than just having an induced labor.

Plus, the rates of occurrence are significantly increased because children who aren't autistic are being diagnosed wrongly left and right. It's the new ADHD. If you sit and read the diagnostic criteria (in the DSM not on an autism website) for autism you can almost diagnose everyone with some level the disorder. I can't tell you the number of clients I've had in 5 years that aren't autistic and have had behaviors for another reason.
Do you know off hand what the concordance is for MZ versus DZ twins?

Unfortunately no, sorry!

@sushilover0214 Im glad I could help! Steal away!

BackseatDriver · August 2013

I think part of the problem is looking at autism as a single entity with a singular cause. IMO there are probably both environmental and genetic factors that contribute to autism and I think there is evidence that the mechanisms are not always the same. For example children with fragile X and tuberous sclerosis can both have autism as part of the condition, but the mechanisms appear to be the exact opposite. From what I recall in the case of fragile X neurons have too much plasticity- they don't form strong enough connections. In tuberous sclerosis there is not enough- connections are too rigid and not able to adapt. So with that in mind it is hard for me to brush off the somewhat small change in percentage of children with autism as unimportant. Also as the article pointed out it does give us insight as to WHEN these changes might be happening which does help contribute to our understanding of the condition.

LittleLady77 · August 2013

Autism is so scary. I wish they wouldn't post unfinished or inconclusive studies like this. It just makes me worry.

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