Small amounts of lithium in tap water may be linked to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children born to pregnant women, according to a recent study. The research suggests that mothers who consumed more lithium during pregnancy had an increased risk of their child being diagnosed with ASD.
The association between lithium and ASD is small, but it remains a topic of interest for scientists. To date, the exact cause of autism is still unknown, with genetics believed to play a role, although environmental factors such as exposure to certain chemicals have also been proposed as potential causes.
One study published recently in the journal JAMA Pediatrics examined data from Denmark and found that pregnant women who drank more lithium-containing tap water had a higher risk of their child being diagnosed with ASD. The researchers analyzed the levels of lithium in drinking water across 151 public waterworks that served over half the Danish population, mapping where pregnant women lived.
The study revealed a modest increase in risk, with those exposed to higher levels of lithium having a 24% to 26% greater chance of an ASD diagnosis compared to those at lower exposure levels. However, the researchers emphasized that this association does not necessarily imply a direct link between lithium and ASD.
"This is an interesting finding, but causation is definitely not proven," Dr. Max Wiznitzer, director of the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, said. "We have to see if there's a viable and biologically plausible mechanism by which a small amount of lithium in the water supply can somehow do this."
Experts caution that more research is needed to fully understand the potential relationship between lithium exposure during pregnancy and ASD risk. One study examining higher levels of lithium exposure in pregnant women has not shown an increased risk of ASD, although the researchers noted that pharmacologic dosing of lithium in women with bipolar disorder was not linked to a similar risk.
The implications of this association for public health policy are complex. Lithium levels in water associated with a potential ASD risk have also been linked to improved rates of hospitalization for psychiatric disorders and reduced suicide rates, suggesting the need for further study to balance any potential benefits against risks.
Researchers highlight that environmental exposure is often difficult to prove as a direct cause of ASD, citing studies showing increased risk from air pollution but struggling to distinguish between causation and correlation. As Wiznitzer noted, "we are bombarded with a variety of environmental stressors in our everyday lives... we have to figure out how to basically safely navigate them."
The association between lithium and ASD is small, but it remains a topic of interest for scientists. To date, the exact cause of autism is still unknown, with genetics believed to play a role, although environmental factors such as exposure to certain chemicals have also been proposed as potential causes.
One study published recently in the journal JAMA Pediatrics examined data from Denmark and found that pregnant women who drank more lithium-containing tap water had a higher risk of their child being diagnosed with ASD. The researchers analyzed the levels of lithium in drinking water across 151 public waterworks that served over half the Danish population, mapping where pregnant women lived.
The study revealed a modest increase in risk, with those exposed to higher levels of lithium having a 24% to 26% greater chance of an ASD diagnosis compared to those at lower exposure levels. However, the researchers emphasized that this association does not necessarily imply a direct link between lithium and ASD.
"This is an interesting finding, but causation is definitely not proven," Dr. Max Wiznitzer, director of the Rainbow Autism Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, said. "We have to see if there's a viable and biologically plausible mechanism by which a small amount of lithium in the water supply can somehow do this."
Experts caution that more research is needed to fully understand the potential relationship between lithium exposure during pregnancy and ASD risk. One study examining higher levels of lithium exposure in pregnant women has not shown an increased risk of ASD, although the researchers noted that pharmacologic dosing of lithium in women with bipolar disorder was not linked to a similar risk.
The implications of this association for public health policy are complex. Lithium levels in water associated with a potential ASD risk have also been linked to improved rates of hospitalization for psychiatric disorders and reduced suicide rates, suggesting the need for further study to balance any potential benefits against risks.
Researchers highlight that environmental exposure is often difficult to prove as a direct cause of ASD, citing studies showing increased risk from air pollution but struggling to distinguish between causation and correlation. As Wiznitzer noted, "we are bombarded with a variety of environmental stressors in our everyday lives... we have to figure out how to basically safely navigate them."
the levels of lithium in water are so low that it's hard to imagine it's making a difference. i mean, what even is a "modest increase" in risk 
? 24-26% might sound scary, but let's put it into perspective - my friend has ASD and her parents didn't drink tap water back when she was born 
. doesn't mean it wasn't the lithium 
. we need more research, but i'm not holding my breath 
. And honestly, even if there's no direct link, it's still worth investigating. We owe it to ourselves and our kids to know what's going on in the water we drink 
and what about the benefits of lower lithium levels though? improved psychiatric hospitalization rates and reduced suicide rates 
it's all so complicated... i just want to see more research on this one before we start freaking out 
. Now we need more research to figure out how to balance these risks and benefits 
. What's your take on this? Should we be concerned about lithium in our tap water or is it just a small risk? 
The thought of even tiny amounts of lithium in tap water potentially causing autism is pretty mind-blowing. What if it's not just about the quantity but also where we live and what we're exposed to as a whole population? I'm all for more research, but can't help thinking that we need to be more careful about our environment and the things we put into our water supply.
this is kinda scary thinkin about all the moms who drank tap water with lithium during preg go and now their kids might be at higher risk of gettin autism 
ASD is already such a mystery, can't even say what causes it 24-26% increase in risk tho that's pretty interesting btw 
hope we get more research done on this ASAP 
but its not like the lilium is literally causin it or sumthin 
so we gotta keep lookin for answers but at the same time, maybe lithium in tap water has some other good effects on ppl 
idk, its all pretty confusing rn 
. A small amount of lithium in tap water could be linked to autism spectrum disorder? That's like saying I'd get sick from drinking a whole lot of water 
. I mean, air pollution has been linked to ASD too, but nobody panics about that one 
️
. And let's not forget, those studies showing reduced suicide rates from higher lithium levels are probably more important than this one study on ASD 
. The study says there's a 24-26% higher risk, but it's not conclusive 
. Can you imagine drinking tap water with that amount of lithium? 
To put this into perspective, the average lithium level in US tap water is around 0.07 ppm, which is way below the toxic threshold 
. The UK has also reported a significant rise in ASD diagnoses, with over 1 million cases expected by 2025 
.
. This is a huge concern for families and healthcare systems worldwide 
. What do you think? Should we be more concerned about lithium in tap water or other environmental toxins? 
I mean my cousin's kid has it and he's fine now, just needs meds. but for real though, more research is needed, can't just jump to conclusions... and what about the benefits tho? 
improved rates of psychiatric hospitalization? reduced suicide rates? sounds like a win-win to me...
. It's not just about the lithium itself, but how our bodies react to all these different stressors. And let's not forget, every mom-to-be is unique, like a snowflake 
. So, even if there's an association, it doesn't mean we can pinpoint exactly what causes autism 
.
. If we're not sure if lithium is causing autism, can we just assume it's not a problem and move forward? I don't think so 
.
