Autism

No, paracetamol use in pregnancy is not linked to autism, confirms study

Debunking Donald Trump's recent claims, a new BMJ study finds no convincing evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy raises the risk of autism or ADHD in children

Covid in pregnancy linked to higher autism, speech and motor delays: Study

Children born to mothers infected with Covid-19 during pregnancy faced a 29% higher chance of developing autism, speech and motor delays by age three, a major US study finds

'Vaccines do not cause autism': Doctors set the record straight on claims

After Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu's remarks reignited the vaccines-autism debate, doctors stress there is no proven link between the two, calling for responsible communication on public health issues

Constant tummy trouble in children? It could signal autism, says new study

Long-term digestive distress in kids may be linked to autism spectrum disorder, highlighting the need for early screening and tailored care

Tylenol maker Kenvue faces crisis after Trump's warning on pregnancy use

Trump's warnings about the unproven link between Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism in children risks reinvigorating a barrage of litigation

Autism isn't one story, it's thousands. Here's what you need to know

Autism shows up differently in each person, but early diagnosis, inclusive environments, and the right support can transform outcomes for individuals and families

Trump links Tylenol to autism, but Indian doctors say paracetamol is safe

Indian medical experts dismiss Trump's claim that Tylenol causes autism, saying paracetamol is safe in pregnancy and backed by strong clinical and observational evidence

Trump sparks row with unproven Tylenol-autism link, HepB vaccine scheduling

At White House press meet, Trump said Tylenol use in pregnancy may cause autism and also called for delaying Hep B vaccines; experts warn unproven claims risk fuelling confusion, vaccine hesitancy

Trump says he'll share 'important' autism findings in Monday address

Autism diagnoses in the United States have increased significantly since 2000, intensifying public concern

More women live with depression and anxiety than men, shows WHO data

Global data reveals that women are more prone to depression and anxiety than men, with social, biological and economic factors driving the mental health gap

RFK Jr claims he can tell if children are unhealthy just by 'looking'

Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services claims he can spot unhealthy children just by looking, sparking debate as experts stress complex conditions need proper medical assessment

Paracetamol use in pregnancy may lead to autism, ADHD in babies: Study

Taking paracetamol during pregnancy might increase the offspring's chances of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to a study. Available over-the-counter, paracetamol -- also known as 'acetaminophen' -- is considered safe for managing headache, fever, and pain during pregnancy. Researchers, including those at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, US, analysed 46 previously published studies involving over a lakh participants across multiple countries. Findings published in the journal BioMed Central show that "higher-quality studies are more likely to show a link between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risks of autism and ADHD," said author Diddier Prada, assistant professor of population health science and policy, environmental medicine and climate science, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Given the widespread use of this medication, even a small increase in risk could

Worried about mercury in vaccines? Here's the science behind 'thimerosal'

As the debate over mercury in vaccines reignite around the world, Indian health experts dismiss any link between thimerosal and developmental disorders such as autism

Could a special vitamin D3 boost ease core autism symptoms in children?

A new study finds that nano-form vitamin D3 significantly improves language, behaviour, and social skills in children aged 3-6 diagnosed with autism

Autistic brothers sexually abused by staff at special school in Dehradun

A resident staffer at a school for students with special needs allegedly sexually assaulted two brothers. The social welfare department is now probing into the activities of the special school

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has Asperger's: What it is, how it's diagnosed

Bill Gates' daughter Phoebe said he has Asperger's syndrome. Here's what it means, how it's diagnosed, and how much autism testing and therapy typically costs in India

Diabetes in pregnancy linked to higher risk of autism in children: Lancet

Having diabetes during pregnancy could be associated to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in the child such as autism, according to a study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal. Children exposed to maternal diabetes were at a 25 per cent increased risk of developing autism spectrum disorder, 30 per cent increased risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and 32 per cent increased risk of intellectual disability, compared to those not exposed, according to the findings of the study. Maternal diabetes was also found to increase risk of communication, learning and motor disorders among exposed children. However, the researchers, including those from the Central South University, China, called for a cautious interpretation of the study's results as they said there is currently little evidence of a causal link. Cases of maternal diabetes -- Type 1 or Type 2, or developing gestational diabetes while pregnant -- are on the rise around the ...

World Autism Awareness Day 2025: History, Date, Theme, And Causes

April 2nd is celebrated as World Autism Awareness Day annually. This year's theme centers on global sustainability and neurodiversity, and how policies and practices may help autistic people

One in every 127 people globally had autism in 2021, study estimates

A study has estimated that one in every 127 people globally, or 6.18 crore individuals, had autism in 2021, with the neurodevelopmental condition featuring among the top 10 causes of non-fatal health burden in youth aged under 20 years. The disorder is associated with repetitive behaviour and affected social skills. Signs, which can begin to show as early as 12 months of age, include poor non-verbal communication, such as avoiding eye contact and not responding to their name. Published in the Lancet Psychiatry journal, the results showed that globally, autism cases among men were over twice of those in women -- 1,065 cases for every one lakh men and 508 for every one lakh women. The estimates come from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) Study, the largest and most comprehensive ones to assess health loss around the world over time, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, US, which coordinates it. "An estimated 61.8 million individual

World Autism Awareness Day 2024: Know its symptoms, causes and more

World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated every year on April 2. This day aims to raise awareness among people of the disorder, and support those who are suffering from it