Jerusalem Post

ByAVICHAI HAIM

A Ben-Gurion University study of 51,000+ births found mothers with persistent thyroid hormone imbalance during pregnancy had a 2.5× higher risk of having children with autism.

Women with persistent thyroid hormone imbalance during pregnancy may be at increased risk of giving birth to children with autism, according to a new study conducted at the Azrieli National Center for Autism at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The study’s findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Maternal thyroid hormones are essential for the neurological development of the fetus. Thyroid imbalance during pregnancy has been linked to atypical neural development, including an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, and experiences the world.
Thyroid dysfunction is detected through routine blood tests performed for all pregnant women. If abnormal levels of thyroid hormones—TSH and T4—are found, the clinical significance may be hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). This dysfunction can be treated with hormone therapy (pills) that restores hormonal balance to normal levels.

A study conducted at the Azrieli National Center for Autism at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev followed more than 51,000 births at Soroka Medical Center and found that mothers with persistent thyroid hormone imbalance throughout pregnancy were at a 2.5 times higher risk of giving birth to children with autism. The researchers also noted that the longer the duration of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy, the higher the risk of autism in the newborn.

“We found that the risk of autism existed only in the offspring of women with persistent thyroid hormone imbalance throughout pregnancy. In contrast, women with chronic thyroid problems who were properly treated did not have an increased risk of autism in their children,” explained Prof. Idan Menashe from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the lead researcher. “These findings emphasize the need for routine monitoring and real-time treatment adjustments to maintain normal thyroid hormone levels throughout pregnancy.”
The study’s findings suggest possible hormonal mechanisms related to the development of autism. “Further research is needed to understand how this type of hormonal imbalance leads to disruption in fetal neural development and ultimately to autism,” concluded Prof. Menashe.