Environ Sci Technol

Wildfire smoke in late pregnancy tied to higher autism risk

January 22, 2026

A study analyzing more than 200,000 births in Southern California found that third‑trimester exposure to wildfire smoke was associated with higher autism rates by age 5. Children whose mothers experienced 1 to 5 smoky days had a 10% higher risk, 6 to 10 days a 12% higher risk, and >10 days a 23% higher risk of autism compared with no smoke exposure. There was no association with mean wildfire PM_2.5 concentration alone however.

Clinical takeaway: Encourage pregnant patients—especially in wildfire‑prone regions—to reduce smoke exposure in the third trimester using indoor air filtration, limiting outdoor activities during smoke events, and monitoring local air‑quality alerts.

Source:

Luglio DG, et al. (2026, January 20). Environ Sci Technol. Prenatal Exposure to Wildfire and Autism in Children. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41557972/