SOCIAL INVULNERABILITY AND THE INCREASE IN NEURODIVERGENT CHILDREN: BIOCHEMICAL CONNECTIONS AND GESTATIONAL FACTORS

Abstract

Introduction: Reported diagnoses of neurodevelopmental conditions in childhood have risen in recent years. While genetics explains much of the risk, recent evidence shows that social determinants, environmental exposures, and gestational inflammation interact with sensitive biochemical pathways in the fetal brain. Objective: To integrate how social “invulnerability”, here meaning weak social protections, may amplify environmental and biological risks linked to growing numbers of neurodivergent children, focusing on biochemical mechanisms and gestational factors. Methods: Narrative review (2020–2025) on (i) prevalence trends, (ii) maternal stress, inflammation and immune activation, (iii) nutrition (folate, vitamin D), (iv) air pollution/endocrine disruptors, (v) gestational metabolic conditions (obesity, diabetes), and (vi) socioeconomic inequalities in Brazil. Results and discussion: Recent studies underline maternal immune activation with cytokine shifts (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) affecting microglia, connectivity, and synaptogenesis; folate and vitamin D deficiency, air pollutants (PM2.5, NOx), and gestational diabetes/obesity are associated with higher likelihood of neurodevelopmental outcomes; social deprotection increases exposure and reduces access to care and early stimulation. Conclusion: Risk mitigation requires cross-sector social protection, high-quality antenatal care, and environmental and nutritional interventions, with an equity lens.