Inhalers and autism

[Guluzar]

Hi
I was using inhalers classed as beta blockers during my pregnancy which said not to use during pregnancy and breast feeding but my doctor assured me that it was safe and they write it just to protect themselves. Now my son has autism and there are a few research papers suggesting a link, has anybody else used a beta blocker inhaler and has a child with autism? I am worried sick that it could have been avoided.

Autism is genetic OP. If you pay close attention to your family or dad's family. You'll see it. Whether they've been diagnosed or not.

I don't know where you are reading these papers but can I suggest you stop? You can look at legitimate sources to find out more about autism.

Very legitimate papers I read them from, also in spectrum news. Autism is genetics and enviromental, there is nobody either in my or the husband s family with autism, I also had two other kids before having asthma and they don't have it.

There's no other members of your family with a diagnosis of autism doesn't mean it's not there.

Please stop looking for reasons and please please please don't blame yourself.

Autism can't be avoided

clpsmum it is not there at all, talked to even distant relatives and I don't get it when people are so fixated on the idea it is genetics and cannot be anything else when the profesionals say it is both genetics and environmental.

No inhaler use. My child has autism. So do I. I can see some traits in my father as well.

all signs really do point to genetics.

i sometimes even wonder if we are the start an evolutionary branch attempt, with fits it’s fits and starts and pros and cons. The idea of a planet full of people with brains like mine brings me great comfort. That is more of a thought exercise. It’s not something we can really know or witness within a single lifetime.

Link to the papers?

Do you mean salbutamol/salmeterol/formoterol?

If so, just a small point, they are not beta blockers (antagonists), they’re the opposite: a beta agonist.

OP's talking about the research suggesting that use of beta agonists like salbutamol/Ventolin (rather than beta blockers, which have the opposite action) in pregnancy could be associated with slightly higher rates of autism in children. IIRC the main thing people point to on this is one of those big population database studies where it's difficult to establish anything other than an association — it could be that some other factor causes both things. It's not a settled area of science and even if there is an effect, it's small, and not having the inhalers would cause harm.

Frydae I am unable to put any links from my current phone but if you search it as specttumnews by Emily Anthes date 10 march 2016 you will find it also a Swedish study in 2016 found it too apparently.

I used blue and brown inhaler during pregnancy and breastfeeding- toddler showing no signs of autism.

Not sure where you are reading these papers

What's the source then?

This thread is actually offensive.

Clumping my inhalers was fostair and it says in its website that it should not be given to a pregnant women especially in the later stages safer inhalers should be given, there is fermitorol I think in it and that is not good for pregnancy apparently bit my gp at the time was adamant that it was safe.

Quidditch as an autism mum I don t think i am offending anyone but it is not fun to see my 3.5 year old not speaking or interacting and if it is caused through neglect that is offensive to me

KageoruI wish i had used bbrown inhaler too apparently they are cotisteroids and safe

That warning probably won't be autism-related, because the science around inhalers and autism is still in the "hmm that's interesting but a very tentative and unclear link" stage, and not settled enough to have filtered through to medical labels yet. The label warning is probably related to some other aspect of taking them that your doctor looked at, before considering the best course to take with your personal medical history.

You did exactly what you needed to do and took medical advice to make sure you were as healthy as possible during pregnancy.

The effects of low oxygen during pregnancy are much better documented. You needed to be able to breathe in order to deliver oxygen to your growing baby. You made the right decision to use the inhalers.

James Blond, you seem to know more about the terminology, this is not my first language and I don't have any medical training, just did some internet research and quite upset with the results.

Walker walking thank you but apparently there are much safer inhalers which i could have been given.

I don’t have asthma, nobody in my family had asthma. I have never used beta blockers yet my eldest DD is autistic. Explain that one OP?

Your still in the early years. It’s easier to look and find something to blame at the start rather than just accept the fact that it’s genetic. It’s not the end of the world OP and there’s every chance your child will speak.

Clumping thank you but it just didn't look like he looked at my history or anything, i made an appintment and stated my fears he just dismissed it and told me it was perfectly safe, i feel like he could easily have put me on brown inhalers which are supposed to be much better during pregnancy.

My child has autism, I do not use an inhaler, I wasn't an older parent and I lived healthily - autism is just one of those things, can't be avoided