Epidurals=Autism? New 2023 Data.

A 2020 publication from JAMA Pediatrics reported that labor epidural analgesia may be associated with an up to 37% increased risk of offspring autism spectrum disorder. The ASA has rejected those results based on methodologic limitations of the study, the lack of biological plausibility. But some remain fearful of labor epidurals because of that publication. In February 2023, a new publication in AJOG will help put this matter to rest with the largest population-based analysis done to date. In this episode, we will highlight and summarize the key findings of this landmark study, and better understand whether or not Labor epidurals are tied to offspring ASD/ADHD.