Returning User? Login Here | Bookmark this site


Web GreatDad.com

Favorites

Tell a Friend

Subscribe via RSS

Enter your email

RSS Feed

XML Sitemap

greatdad/sitemap

Age Groups > General > General Advice

Research: Autism tied to rainfall

Rate This Article:

Ask about this article

James Dunsford

Print

Figures compiled in the past few years have indicated that diagnoses of autism have risen in the U.S., but nobody seems to agree on the reasons behind this trend.

Now, a new study has suggested that the amount of rainfall a child - or their mother - is exposed to may play a role.

Research conducted by Cornell University's Michael Waldman and colleagues analyzed data on autism diagnoses in California, Washington and Oregon.

They found that the prevalence of autism was positively related to the amount of precipitation seen in each county.

To explain the link, the researchers suggested a number of theories. One proposes that children who are kept indoors watching TV or videos may find their brains are affected by these activities.

Another theory suggests that vitamin D deficiency may be a cause, due to lack of sunlight in rainy areas.

Finally, Waldman said that heightened exposure to chemicals may be responsible. Rain may bring dangerous chemicals from the upper atmosphere to the ground.

Despite the evidence, some experts said they have doubts about the study.

British physician Dr Michael Fitzpatrick said that in recent years, the condition has "been blamed on everything from discarded iPod batteries to mercury from Chinese power stations," according to Reuters.
ADNFCR-1662-ID-18859209-ADNFCR

Subscribe to the pregnancy newsletter or 4-8 year olds newsletter.



Recently Asked Questions

Email this | Print

Post a Comment


First Name:
City:
Email Address:
Comments:	Total Words: (400 words*)
	Enter the characters you see in the image. They are case sensitive.

Shopping

Article List

	Joey Fatone says having two daughters is 'karma'
	Five minutes with Dana Glazer
	Tips to stop pouring money down the drain
	Tips to help your kids eat a healthy breakfast every day
	Parenting advice for bringing your children to work
	Actor Matthew McConaughey discusses fatherhood with Jay Leno
	Tips for controlling kids' cell phone costs
	Tips for protecting your children's hearing
	Tips for helping kids snack healthier
	Tips for making money fast
	Actor Oliver Hudson says he and his wife are dealing with their second pregnancy much differently
	Tips for raising a good reader
	Parenting advice for avoiding choking

All section articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Forum Topics

New here, been a dad for a while Posts: 0 Views: 90 Just finding out that I have a 14yr old son Posts: 0 Views: 118 Ultimately introducing myself! Posts: 0 Views: 167 Greetings Posts: 1 Views: 170 Why einstein said this ? Posts: 0 Views: 181

More Forum