The influence of agrochemicals present in maternal nutrition in the birth of children with autistic spectrum disorder

Abstract

Both psychological and neurological changes are related to deficits in communication and social interaction in patients diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There is evidence that fetuses are exposed to agrochemicals because some agrochemicals have the capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier, thus affecting the fetal central nervous system. The aim of the present study is to carry out a literature review about maternal exposure to some pesticides and the possible relationship between this exposure and the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. A search was conducted in the Science Direct, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Lilacs databases. As a result, in most articles the agrochemicals analyzed in this study showed that they have some relation of the exposure of mothers and children with autism spectrum disorder. It was observed that gestational contact with pesticides as chlorpyrifos interferes with early neuromotor development, causes deficits in social behavior, and increases restrictive behavior in adulthood. It was verified too the presence of endosulfan metabolites in the umbilical cord and breast milk that could interfere in the congnitive functions of the child. Contact of chlorpyrifos, ammonium glufosinate and glyphosate with pregnant women may also interfere with normal development, with changes in communication, early reflexes and affiliative behavior. A growing body of evidence suggests the role of these agrochemicals in interference with normal neurodevelopment, autism etiology, and impairment of psychomotor and mental functions, including attention and verbal skills in children.