POSSIBLE OCCURRENCE OF ASD IN CHILDREN OF PARENTS WHO USED ANABOLIC STEROIDS DURING THE GESTATIONAL PERIOD

Abstract

The non-therapeutic use of anabolic-androgenic steroids constitutes a growing public health issue that extends beyond the realm of sports, affecting men and women of reproductive age. While the cardiovascular, hepatic, and endocrine effects of these substances on adult users are reasonably well-documented, their impact on offspring remains poorly understood—particularly when exposure occurs during the periconceptional and gestational periods. This investigation is warranted by two converging gaps: the scarcity of evidence regarding the transgenerational outcomes of exposure to these hormones and the limited dissemination—outside scientific circles—of information enabling users to gauge reproductive risks, given that fetal development is highly sensitive to external influences and hormonal imbalances. Against this backdrop, the general objective of this study is to analyze the effects of anabolic steroid use by individuals of reproductive age and the potential repercussions on fetal development, with a specific focus on the hypothesis of an association with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specific objectives include identifying the sociodemographic and motivational factors associated with such use and understanding the interplay between steroid cycles and fetal neurological development. Methodologically, this is an exploratory literature review based on secondary data; the study will consult databases such as MEDLINE/PubMed, the CAPES Journal Portal, and UpToDate, including original articles, case studies, and systematic reviews published—preferably—within the last decade. Selection will be based on thematic relevance and methodological quality, covering both the determinants of use and the described neurodevelopmental outcomes. Extracted data will be organized and analyzed descriptively using MS-Excel and IBM SPSS (version 21) software, while adhering to ethical research principles regarding proper source attribution and the responsible use of information. Among the expected outcomes is the characterization of factors associated with the use of these substances—with pressure regarding physical appearance, low self-esteem, and the pursuit of immediate results appearing as the most recurrent in the national literature. Furthermore, the study aims to systematize preclinical evidence indicating that exposure to anabolic agents interferes with neurogenesis and neuronal density in brain structures such as the basal ganglia—a biologically plausible mechanism for long-lasting behavioral changes. Epidemiological studies on parental use of medications and psychoactive substances and their relationship with ASD, combined with national surveillance data on congenital anomalies, will provide the necessary population-level perspective. It should be noted, however, that ASD has a multifactorial etiology and a strong genetic component; therefore, any identified associations must be interpreted as hypotheses to be tested in analytical study designs rather than as established causal relationships. In conclusion, this review may contribute to mapping existing knowledge gaps, supporting educational initiatives focused on reproductive health, and guiding future cohort or case-control studies on the transgenerational effects of anabolic steroids.