Obstetric Complications May Increase the Risk for Autism

Complications that occur later in pregnancy or during delivery may increase a child’s risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An analysis of health records of almost 600,000 children showed that those who faced complications during the third trimester had a 22% greater risk for ASD, while those who experienced a complication during delivery had a 10% higher risk for the disorder. Furthermore, children experiencing complications both before birth and during delivery had a 44% greater risk of being diagnosed with autism than kids who did not face these problems. American Journal of Perinatology, January 2017