Common Medications May Increase Autism Risk, Large U.S. Study Finds
A groundbreaking new study is raising fresh concerns about the safety of certain prescribed medications taken during pregnancy—and their potential link to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center analyzed over 6.14 million maternal-child health records from across the United States. Their findings, published in Molecular Psychiatry, reveal a significant association between prenatal exposure to a group of medications that inhibit the production of cholesterol, and an increased risk of autism in children, especially when taken in the first trimester.
Why the Study is Different
Unlike earlier research, which grouped medications by their purpose, this study focused on how drugs affect the body—specifically whether they disrupt cholesterol production, a process critical for fetal brain development.
The researchers identified a category known as sterol biosynthesis–inhibiting medications (SBIMs).
These include widely used drugs such as:
Antidepressants (like SSRIs)
Anti-anxiety medications
Antipsychotics
Beta-blockers (used for heart conditions and blood pressure)
Statins (used to lower cholesterol)
Many of these medications are among the most prescribed in the U.S., with hundreds of millions of prescriptions annually.
Key Findings: Autism Risk Increases with Exposure
The data revealed several important trends that expecting parents and healthcare providers should be aware of:
Taking at least one SBIM during pregnancy was linked to a 47% increased risk of autism
The risk rose significantly with multiple medications
Women taking four or more SBIMs had a 2.33 times higher risk of having a child with ASD
14.2% of children diagnosed with autism had prenatal exposure to these drugs
Use of these medications during pregnancy increased sharply from 4.3% in 2014 to 16.8% in 2023
Why Cholesterol Is Critical for Fetal Brain Development
Cholesterol plays an important role in brain development during pregnancy.
The fetal brain is one of the most cholesterol-rich organs in the body. Around 19 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus begins producing its own cholesterol, which is essential for:
Brain cell formation
Neural signaling
Overall cognitive development
Disruptions in this process can have serious consequences. For example, Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is a rare condition caused by impaired cholesterol synthesis, and up to 75% of affected children meet criteria for autism.
A 2021 study also highlighted the importance of cholesterol synthesis for fetal brain development.
This new research suggests that some medications may unintentionally interfere with this same biological pathway.
Does This Mean These Medications Are Unsafe?
Not necessarily.
The study shows a correlation—not direct causation. Many of these medications are essential for managing serious health conditions like depression, anxiety, and heart disease.
The researchers note that the study has several limitations because of confounding factors related to gene variations between mother and child, and sterol biosynthesis. They also note that environmental factors, other health conditions, and nutritional status such as maternal vitamin D level could not be addressed in the study.
They also note that not all SBIM medications prescribed during pregnancy in the study resulted in ASD.
Experts emphasize:
👉 Do not stop or change any medication during pregnancy without consulting your healthcare provider.
Untreated medical conditions can also pose risks to both mother and baby.
The study does not mean the medications cause autism. What the study does show is that there is a pathway that is disrupted from the medications that is important for fetal brain development that could be toxic to the fetal brain.
The researchers suggest a close look at all medications that inhibit the sterol pathway during pregnancy, even newly developed medications. They would also like to see more funding toward drug research related to safety during pregnancy.
What Pregnant Women Should Do Now
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consider these steps:
Review all medications with your doctor
Ask whether any drugs may affect cholesterol pathways
Discuss safer alternatives if available
Avoid combining multiple medications unless necessary
Follow medical advice closely—never self-adjust prescriptions
What Researchers Recommend Moving Forward
To improve medication safety during pregnancy, experts are calling for:
A comprehensive list of drugs that interfere with sterol (cholesterol) production
Routine testing of new medications for these effects
Increased awareness among healthcare providers
Better screening for genetic vulnerabilities
More research into safer treatment options for pregnant patients
The Bottom Line
This large-scale U.S. study highlights a potential link between medications that affect baby's brain development during pregnancy and increased autism risk. The findings underscore the importance of careful medication management during pregnancy and the need for further research.
Understanding how medications affect fetal brain development could lead to safer treatment strategies—and better long-term outcomes for children.
No link found between vaccines and autism
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