Alcohol and Tobacco use While Breastfeeding and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity

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Louisa Gibson1, Melanie Porter2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia. louisa.gibson@hdr.mq.edu.au.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|April 24, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Maternal alcohol and tobacco use during breastfeeding did not show links to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children. However, abstinence remains the safest approach for infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Maternal Health & Substance Use

Background:

  • Prenatal exposure to alcohol and tobacco is linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
  • The impact of lactational substance use on these neurodevelopmental outcomes is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal alcohol and tobacco consumption during breastfeeding and the risk of ADHD and ASD in offspring.
  • To address the gap in research regarding lactational substance exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 5107 infants from the Growing Up in Australia cohort, recruited in 2004.
  • Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between maternal breastfeeding substance use and ADHD/ASD diagnoses at ages 6-7 and 10-11 years.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant associations were found between maternal alcohol or tobacco use while breastfeeding and the diagnosis of ADHD or ASD at follow-up assessments.
  • The findings suggest lactational alcohol and tobacco exposure may not elevate the risk for these neurodevelopmental conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Current evidence indicates that alcohol and tobacco use during lactation may not increase the risk of ADHD or ASD in children.
  • While not statistically associated in this study, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco during breastfeeding is advised as the safest option.
  • Future research should incorporate detailed timing of alcohol consumption and prospective data collection to refine understanding.

Keywords:
AlcoholAttention deficit/hyperactivity disorderAutism spectrum disorderBreastfeedingTobacco

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