By CHIOMA OBINNA

Experts have identified exposure to air pollution during pregnancy as one of the major causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD.

Autism is a neurological condition that arises from insufficient development of a child’s physical, emotional or intellectual capacity.  Unfortunately, as debilitating as the condition maybe, the disorder, remained largely misunderstood by the society.  This has made it difficult for affected children to cope with the everyday demands of their environment and leads to varying stages of social stigmatization.

In a study by scientists at the University of Southern California, led by Heather Volk, and colleagues, children living in areas with high levels of traffic-related air pollution were three times more likely to have autism than were children in areas with low levels of such pollutants.

Traffic air pollution

The study went on to show that the children with autism were twice to have been exposed to high levels of traffic air pollution during their mother’s pregnancy and three times as likely to have been exposed to high levels of such pollution during their first year of life. The findings did not change after possibly confounding factors such as ethnicity, parental education, and maternal smoking during pregnancy were considered.

Speakin during  the 4th edition of Guaranty Trust Bank Autism Awareness programme entitled; “On the Road to Future Inclusion” billed to hold 24th March through 1st  of April, 2014, health experts noted that although the cause of the problem  was yet unknown, studies have shown that women who live in areas with the highest levels of diesel or mercury in the air were twice as likely to have a child with Autism, compared with those living in the areas with lowest levels.

A consultant Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, Dr. Maymunah Kadiri, explained that the specific cause of autism is not known, but researchers have linked it to a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors.  Kadiri noted that in a study, women who were exposed to other types of air pollution-such as lead, manganese and methylene chloride-were about 50 percent more likely to have a child with ASD than women living with the lowest concentrations of these pollutants. Imagine replicating this study in Lagos where there is no control over air pollution, she retorted.

Kadiri explained that autistic children suffer severe learning problems which impede their capacity to interpret and understand the everyday messages from the world around them; words, gestures, signs, numbers, letters and even love.

On his part,  Chief Executive Officer, GT Bank plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje noted that “poor awareness about the condition and stigma informed The Guaranty Trust Bank Orange Ribbon Initiative four years ago.

He said all children deserve to be loved and understood, the Orange Ribbon Initiative was created to learn more about Autism Spectrum Disorder.   “The platform Orange Ribbon Initiative is aimed at campaigning for establishment of comprehensive and inclusive schools for affected children and integrated centres for adults, gathering support and lobby for legislation that protects the rights of people living with developmental disabilities, encourage government and private organisations to fund research in ASD and clear up societal myths about  ASD”.