Claim Review: Autism Diagnosis Rates and BPA Exposure

A recent article published on NaturalNews claims that autism diagnosis rates have tripled in the last decade and that prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) is linked to autism. This claim is based on a study published in the journal JAMA Network Open and an Australian study published in Nature Communications.

The JAMA Network Open study analyzed electronic health records and insurance claims data from over 12.2 million patients enrolled in major U.S. healthcare systems from 2011 to 2022. The study found that autism diagnoses among children ages five to eight rose significantly from 2.3 per 1,000 in 2011 to 6.3 in 2022. The largest increase in diagnoses was reported among young adults, women, and girls. New autism diagnoses in girls rose by 305 percent, while diagnoses for boys only rose by 185 percent. In adult women, there was a 315 percent increase, compared to a 215 percent rise in men. The increase was notable in adults ages 26 to 34, with a 450 percent increase in diagnoses.

The Australian study found that high levels of exposure to BPA during pregnancy were linked to a substantial increase in autism symptoms among boys. The study examined nearly 1,800 children and focused on two cohorts of mothers and children, one from Geelong, Australia, and the other from New York. In the Australian cohort, researchers identified that boys born to mothers with higher BPA levels in their urine were over three times more likely to show autism symptoms by age two and six times more likely to be diagnosed by age 11 compared to those with lower BPA exposure.

While the studies suggest a correlation between BPA exposure and autism, it is important to note that autism is a multifactorial condition. A 2021 review found that individuals born prematurely had a 3.3 times higher likelihood of having autism compared to those born at full term. Premature babies face increased risks of birth complications and inflammation, factors that have been linked to autism.

The claim that autism diagnosis rates have tripled in the last decade is supported by the JAMA Network Open study. However, the claim that prenatal exposure to BPA is linked to autism is not conclusive. While the Australian study suggests a correlation, further research is needed to establish a causal relationship. The increase in autism diagnosis rates is likely due to a combination of factors, including improved screening processes, greater awareness, broadened diagnostic criteria, and environmental and biological factors.

In conclusion, the claim that autism diagnosis rates have tripled in the last decade is true, but the claim that prenatal exposure to BPA is linked to autism is not fully supported by the available evidence. Further research is needed to determine the exact causes of the increase in autism diagnosis rates.