Induced labour 'linked to autism'

Children whose mothers needed drugs to
start giving birth are slightly more likely to
have autism, US researchers say.
A study of 625,000 children, published in
JAMA Pediatrics, showed the autism link was
stronger in boys.
Scientists have called for more research to
explain the difference as it is not clear why
there would be a link.
Doctors said inducing labour was safe,
necessary and could save a baby's life.
Autism is thought to be caused by a
combination of family, or genetic, risk and
conditions in the womb and early life while the
child is developing.
Procedure could be life-saving
The study of births in North Carolina showed
13 out of every 1,000 boys born, and four per
1,000 girls, developed autism.
However, the rate was a third higher in boys
when their mother needed drugs to induce or
assist the pregnancy, while any effect in girls
was more muted.
Researchers said that two cases of autism in
every 1,000 births might be prevented by
stopping induction. However, they warned this
would come at significant cost as the
procedure could be life-saving.
Prof Simon Gregory, of Duke University, said
there had been a lot of conflicting evidence on
autism and inducing labour, but this study was
the largest to look at the issue.
He told the BBC: "We don't want mothers to
say, 'Under no circumstances do I want to be
induced because I don't want a kid with
autism'. That would be plain wrong.
"We've found an association and more
research is needed. This allows us to focus on
the factors around birth that may affect
autism and how it develops."
The study only shows that the rates of autism
are higher after being induced. It could be
down to the drugs used to begin labour or
something else influencing the pregnancy that
leads to women needing to be induced and
also affects the developing brain.
'Good medical reasons'
Labour is often induced when the pregnancy
has gone on too long and the mother has
missed the due date, normally by at least a
week.
Michael Heard, of Hampshire Hospitals NHS
Foundation Trust and the Royal College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
spokesperson, said: "We induce to improve
outcomes. You reduce the chance of losing the
baby and the chance of mum and baby getting
unwell.
"This is a preliminary statistical overview, with
no clear reasoning why the two things should
be linked.
"Induction is very common and is offered for
good medical reasons and is extremely safe.
But like most medical processes there is a
small risk associated.
"This is another thing to consider in a long-
term study, but not something I'd consider in
my practice."
Carol Povey, of the National Autistic Society,
said: "Autism is a complex condition and is
thought to be the result of many different
underlying physical and genetic factors. Its
exact causes are still being investigated.
"The scientists who conducted this study
acknowledge that further research is required
before any hard and fast conclusions can be
drawn.
"It's therefore important that people do not
jump to conclusions about this study and its
implications."