Investigating how prenatal medication exposure affects autism and developmental disabilities

Prenatal medication exposure in autism, birth complications and developmental disabilities

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10909176

This study is looking at how certain medications that pregnant women take might affect the chances of their children developing autism or other developmental issues, using data from 1.2 million births in Israel to find out which medications could be linked to these risks.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10909176 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how medications taken by pregnant women may influence the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities in their children. By analyzing a large dataset of 1.2 million live births from Israel, the study aims to identify specific medications and their effects on ASD risk, taking into account various factors such as timing and duration of exposure. This research seeks to fill critical knowledge gaps regarding the safety of commonly used prescription and over-the-counter medications during pregnancy.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women who are taking medications and are concerned about their potential effects on their child's development.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those who are not taking any medications during pregnancy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved guidelines for medication use during pregnancy, potentially reducing the risk of autism and developmental disabilities in children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated associations between certain prenatal exposures and developmental outcomes, but this study aims to provide more comprehensive insights into a wider range of medications.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Attention deficit hyperactivity disorderAutistic Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.