The level of lithium in a pregnant woman’s household’s tap water may correlate to a higher chance of their infant being diagnosed with autism, according to a new study looking at how this environmental factor may impact the prevalence of the neurological difference. The study, published Monday in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA Pediatrics, looked at lithium levels in Denmark's tap water and compared it to the health records of more than 50,000 children.
Fluoride Exposure May Increase Risk of Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy
New research out of York University found that fluoride exposure via drinking water may increase the risk of hypothyroidism in pregnant women. In a smaller subset of participants, the researchers found lower IQ scores between boys whose mothers had been diagnosed with hypothyroidism compared to boys whose mothers had normal thyroid levels.