Research has established a connection between maternal asthma and a heightened risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. ASD, which affects approximately 10% of children worldwide according to the World Health Organization, is believed to arise from a combination of genetic and environmental influences. A recent meta-analysis published in July 2025 in the journal Nature reinforces previous findings that maternal asthma may play a significant role in the development of ASD in offspring.
Jingfang Zheng and colleagues conducted a comprehensive analysis to assess the relationship between maternal asthma and the prevalence of ASD in children. The study revealed that children born to mothers with asthma had a 36% higher likelihood of developing ASD compared to their peers born to asthma-free mothers. This research draws attention to the potential impact of maternal health on child development, particularly in relation to neurodevelopmental disorders.
The meta-analysis utilized data from prominent electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, examining studies published up until October 2024. Eight studies met the criteria for inclusion, encompassing a total of 152,697 participants with maternal asthma and 1,809,488 without. The selected studies spanned various locations, with five based in the United States, one in Sweden, one multicentre study, and one involving participants from Taiwan and Mainland China.
In exploring the data further, the researchers conducted a subgroup analysis by the sex of the child. This analysis indicated that only male children of asthmatic mothers exhibited a statistically significant increased risk of developing ASD, with a 28% heightened odds compared to those without maternal asthma.
While the findings from Zheng’s study highlight maternal asthma as a potential risk factor for ASD, the researchers caution that the classification of certainty regarding these trends is low. Variability in study designs and results indicates that further research is necessary to confirm these associations definitively.
The implications of this study extend beyond individual health concerns. According to epidemiologists from GlobalData, diagnosed cases of ASD in males across 16 major markets, including the US, UK, Japan, and China, are projected to decline from 5.9 million cases in 2025 to 5.7 million by 2031. In females, diagnosed cases are expected to decrease from 2 million in 2025 to 1.9 million in 2031.
The findings from this meta-analysis underscore the importance of maternal health during pregnancy and its potential consequences for child development. As researchers continue to investigate these links, the hope is to better understand how maternal conditions like asthma may influence the risk of developmental disorders in children.
