336

What Causes Autism During Pregnancy?

What causes autism during pregnancy? Here`s a question that may concern you if you are expecting, especially if you want to have a healthy pregnancy.

What Causes Autism During Pregnancy

The existence of symptoms indicating the prenatal installation of autism is intensively researched and increasingly confirmed by experts.

Table of Contents

What Is Autism?

Autism, known as autism spectrum disorder or ASD as well, represents a wide variety of medical conditions which are characterized by various challenges of repetitive behaviors, non-verbal communication and speech, social skills, and by unique differences and strengths. Now it`s known that there isn`t a single type of autism but several, which are caused by distinct combinations of environmental and genetic influences.

What Causes Autism during Pregnancy?

Specialists and medical experts believe that this disorder involves the abnormal development of fetal brain, due to insufficiently well-documented causes through specialist studies.

Recent studies show that the older age of the mother is a determinant risk factor. Therefore, it suggests that women who postpone the moment they become mothers have a higher risk of having a child with ASD. Researchers have discovered that this risk is 50% higher at a woman of 40 years than a woman who approaches 30 years. More previous studies have revealed a similar association, but it wasn`t clear whether the mother`s or father`s age was more essential. – Read more!

It`s well known now that various environmental factors, such as exposure to particular toxic substances while pregnant, may increase the risk for autism spectrum disorder.

It`s essential to make the difference between an increased risk and cause. The disorder generally results from several factors in most cases, additionally to genetic predisposition. This will include the exposure of the pregnant woman to particular chemicals, like phthalates and pesticides, as well as various medications, like valproic acid (for controlling seizures), some mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, terbutaline (on occasion used to stop premature labor).

More importantly, when drugs are concerned, any increased risk of this disorder to occur should be balanced against the medical necessities of the woman. Keep in mind that a pregnant woman`s health can and will affect her pregnancy as well as the future baby`s health. – Check this out!

There`s much to learn about any environmental factors which increase the risk of autism. And it can be said that by avoiding a specific exposure, this automatically means that a risk for this disorder is reduced for a specific individual. Still, it`s also known that exposure to particular toxins is related to an increased risk of various developmental disorders.

ASD Symptoms

  • Social Challenges – Most children are social in their nature. However, most children who suffer from this disorder experience difficulties engaging in human interactions.
  • Communication Difficulties – Children with autism have a tendency of be somehow delayed when trying to speak or they babble.
  • Repetitive Behaviors – Another core sign of ASD is unusual behaviors that repeat themselves and tend to engage in a variety of activities that are restricted.
  • Genetic Disorders – Some children who suffer of autism experience a genetic condition that cannot be identified which seems to affect the development of the brain.
  • Seizure Disorders – This type of disorders, which include epilepsy as well, occur in up to 39% of children with ASD.

When Can You Detect Autism?

Recent studies outlines that 1 out of 68 children have now been diagnosed with ASD. While this diagnosis is increasing, children aren`t normally diagnosed by a specialist until over the age of 2. Still, there are certain signs which may show your child may experience autism as early as 6 months old.

Scientific Findings

Autistic disorders become noticeable in the early years of life and are manifested by the child`s difficulty of talking, playing or interacting with others. The symptoms of autism vary to a complex extent, just like its effects. Some children who have autism have small deficiencies, while others face larger obstacles that they need overcome during their development.

There are a lot of divergent opinions shared by doctors, parents or psychologists regarding the causes and treatment of these disorders, but there an aspect unanimously accepted which is early, intensive intervention, which has achieved remarkable progresses.

The very important of early diagnosis motivates researchers to detect the installation of autism before birth, not only a more probable success of therapy, but also for discovering the exact causes of developing autistic spectrum disorders. Presently, most children get their diagnosis after the age of 4, when the treatment`s success already becomes less likely.

A recent study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine 2 years ago, shows that babies with autism have portions of disorganization in the outer layers of the brain, a symptom that the cerebral development disorder starts from the mother`s womb.

For the development of the research, scientists examined brain samples from 22 children, 11 of them who had autism, and 11 who didn`t had this disorder.

A detailed analysis was performed on samples of neocortex, which develop into 6 layers during fetal development, each with its own specialized cells. While these cells mature, they take on a genetic signature, which can be visualized through sophisticated tissue sample evaluation techniques.

Surprinsingly, the researchers were able to highlight small areas of brain development disruption in the outer layers of the brain of children who suffered of ASD. More than that, affected areas have been found in areas of the brain associated with complex brain functions, like interpreting social points or understanding the language.

The same signals weren`t identified in the baby`s cerebral tissue without the diagnosis of autism.

Ed Lein, a researcher of the Allen Institute for Brain Science and a participant to the study, claims that the unprecedented discovery can be a direct proof of the autism`s prenatal origin. The good news is that the information missing at the neocortex level may be rewritten to some extent during the first years of life, which would also explain the efficiency of behavioral therapy among children with autism benefiting from early intervention.

Unfortunately, for the moment it wasn`t possible to establish in what stage of pregnancy the abnormalities would occur and, even more importantly, which are their exact causes.

Another study performed by researchers at Cambridge University, speaks of the direct link between the increased level of testosterone from the amniotic liquid and the child`s autistic features, as well as lack of social skills and speech difficulties present until the age of 8. Because the theory couldn`t be further confirmed, the amniocentesis for the diagnosis of autism isn`t yet a prenatal screening method unanimously accepted by specialists.

Can We Prevent Autism?

Women who choose to immunize against rubella before pregnancy are able to prevent the autism form associated with rubella. After birth, there are a few measures which might prove helpful when wanting to prevent autism. One would be an early diagnosis as well as treatment of PKU, which it`s a hereditary disease caused by the absence of an enzyme from the liver that is necessary for the digestion of the enzyme phenylalanine. Also, an early diagnosis as well as treatment of celiac disease might reduce the risk of autism.

Image courtesy of Drozthegoodlife.com

Show Comments

838 Comments

    • Peeguic May 26, 2023
    • Rublips June 25, 2023
    • iMlUMZ August 15, 2023
  1. RalphLep June 3, 2022
  2. IverDarm June 4, 2022
    • UncomeRem March 3, 2023
    • cloravy April 28, 2023
    • gissuri May 31, 2023
    • mbdMbnhxd July 13, 2023
  3. ChesterDyesy June 4, 2022
    • Higuilk April 23, 2023
    • Rublips May 30, 2023
    • Rublips June 6, 2023
    • TEqPtuX July 5, 2023
  4. Stromvar June 5, 2022
    • Emikify February 24, 2023
    • Ethigue April 24, 2023
    • embarry May 27, 2023
    • embarry June 7, 2023
    • uSzKNTrE July 5, 2023
    • OogyDp August 8, 2023
  5. Answqt June 28, 2022
    • Iodindila May 17, 2023
    • Rublips June 17, 2023
    • KkGjzTTUG August 4, 2023
  6. incuchrib August 22, 2022
    • Iodindila May 3, 2023
    • feljkXfPJ July 17, 2023
  7. elirway August 31, 2022
    • Emikify March 13, 2023
    • Gyngeassy May 7, 2023
    • MLjEwW July 20, 2023
    • NkKwUDACF August 22, 2023
  8. lubrept September 2, 2022
    • Unrelia May 17, 2023
    • gissuri June 25, 2023
    • xqdupbmac August 5, 2023
  9. Wotlayelt September 4, 2022
  10. eagetry September 6, 2022
  11. attaive September 9, 2022
  12. hapseva September 12, 2022
  13. Wayhoff September 16, 2022
  14. better casino slot games September 25, 2022
  15. better casino slot games September 25, 2022
  16. poollaRic October 6, 2022
    • Emikify March 15, 2023
    • Gyngeassy May 9, 2023
    • kJnWGjgS July 21, 2023
    • rtnKzyCX August 23, 2023
  17. TimothyIntem October 10, 2022
    • acotLN July 5, 2023
  18. Stewartnlm October 11, 2022
    • Emikify February 20, 2023
    • Ethigue April 21, 2023
    • embarry May 24, 2023
    • embarry June 5, 2023
    • QMrjjEAwd July 1, 2023
    • TlgjvxOHs August 4, 2023
  19. Stewartbvw October 11, 2022
    • Higuilk April 25, 2023
    • Rublips May 31, 2023
    • Rublips June 7, 2023
    • smGQCbBGq July 9, 2023
  20. Stewartaiq October 12, 2022
  21. Edgeste October 12, 2022
    • Emikify March 8, 2023
    • Gyngeassy May 4, 2023
    • embarry June 4, 2023
    • mCmFUWM July 16, 2023
    • sYdvSbsts August 18, 2023
  22. Stewartsvm October 12, 2022
    • Iodindila May 14, 2023
    • wLFjuFj July 31, 2023
  23. Stewartdpi October 12, 2022
    • Higuilk April 29, 2023
    • Rublips June 3, 2023
    • BmnSDDO July 14, 2023
  24. Stewartxlq October 13, 2022
    • Emikify February 21, 2023
    • Ethigue April 21, 2023
    • embarry May 24, 2023
    • embarry June 5, 2023
    • IlspVZdM July 1, 2023
    • XetjSD August 4, 2023
  25. VederTwtemi October 24, 2022
    • Iodindila May 7, 2023
    • HEtVemFHq July 22, 2023
  26. VederTwtktn October 24, 2022
    • Iodindila May 20, 2023
    • Rublips June 19, 2023
    • gwTmVMTa August 8, 2023
  27. VederTwthhi October 25, 2022
  28. VederTwtenx November 5, 2022
    • Higuilk April 25, 2023
    • Rublips May 31, 2023
    • Rublips June 7, 2023
    • KiWcLh July 8, 2023
    • Iodindila May 4, 2023
    • Tbyodm July 18, 2023
    • Unrelia May 18, 2023
    • gissuri June 26, 2023
    • ajYFnuwDT August 6, 2023
    • UncomeRem February 21, 2023
    • cloravy April 21, 2023
    • gissuri May 24, 2023
    • gissuri June 5, 2023
    • IHZetobq July 2, 2023
    • UncomeRem March 20, 2023
    • Unrelia May 12, 2023
    • gissuri June 18, 2023
    • NAevVSUav July 29, 2023
    • Iodindila May 20, 2023
    • Rublips June 19, 2023
    • RAGCyVXXg August 8, 2023
    • Emikify March 19, 2023
    • Gyngeassy May 12, 2023
    • embarry June 18, 2023
    • AgmCoPo July 24, 2023
    • qJOaSO August 27, 2023
    • Iodindila May 13, 2023
    • FVuTYWeS July 30, 2023
    • Emikify February 23, 2023
    • Ethigue April 23, 2023
    • embarry May 26, 2023
    • embarry June 6, 2023
    • AjwihDQ July 3, 2023
    • TJqkuEm August 6, 2023
  29. Edittef November 11, 2022
    • Higuilk April 28, 2023
    • Rublips June 3, 2023
    • Rublips June 9, 2023
    • csMHRmn July 13, 2023
    • OQlOutRK July 29, 2023
  30. driency November 12, 2022
    • Higuilk April 29, 2023
    • Rublips June 3, 2023
    • OHPitmYTD July 14, 2023
    • Emikify February 26, 2023
    • Ethigue April 25, 2023
    • embarry May 28, 2023
    • embarry June 8, 2023
    • WqmyuE August 9, 2023
    • Peeguic May 25, 2023
    • Rublips June 24, 2023
    • AeLLIrlFF August 14, 2023
    • Higuilk April 26, 2023
    • Rublips June 1, 2023
    • Rublips June 8, 2023
    • JYOOjqM July 9, 2023
    • Iodindila May 18, 2023
    • Rublips June 18, 2023
    • yrBSnMKh August 5, 2023
    • Iodindila May 22, 2023
    • Rublips June 20, 2023
    • rMvkWc August 10, 2023
  31. deelvinia November 16, 2022
    • Unrelia May 14, 2023
    • gissuri June 20, 2023
    • ogTrbKbt August 1, 2023
  32. CharlfisowesMus November 17, 2022
  33. CharlrbfwyesMus November 17, 2022
  34. Asseptors November 18, 2022
    • Peeguic May 24, 2023
    • Rublips June 24, 2023
    • lrCNNHN August 13, 2023
  35. CharlxxwowesMus November 18, 2022
    • Unrelia May 19, 2023
    • gissuri June 26, 2023
    • HXMDYnq August 6, 2023
    • Higuilk April 24, 2023
    • Rublips May 31, 2023
    • Rublips June 7, 2023
    • OWnhWKU July 7, 2023
  36. CharlhrrxlesMus November 18, 2022
  37. CharlthezbesMus November 19, 2022
  38. CharlhvmxbesMus November 19, 2022
  39. roarrop November 19, 2022
    • Gyngeassy May 15, 2023
    • embarry June 22, 2023
    • IroADP July 27, 2023
    • CvVVSTp August 31, 2023
  40. CharlkezrcesMus November 19, 2022
    • Iodindila May 12, 2023
    • OkLgjT July 28, 2023
    • Gyngeassy May 17, 2023
    • DJQuVr July 28, 2023
  41. CharlauuxfesMus November 20, 2022
    • UncomeRem March 5, 2023
    • cloravy April 29, 2023
    • gissuri June 1, 2023
    • gfIuUWfGJ July 14, 2023
  42. CharldbxnjesMus November 21, 2022
    • Higuilk May 1, 2023
    • fIwmkX July 16, 2023
  43. CharlmiicyesMus November 21, 2022
  44. CharlyytkiesMus November 21, 2022
    • Emikify March 9, 2023
    • Gyngeassy May 5, 2023
    • embarry June 4, 2023
    • xFlvBBWHt July 16, 2023
    • mqjaOAR August 19, 2023
  45. Bifaple November 22, 2022
    • Iodindila May 21, 2023
    • Rublips June 19, 2023
    • DFxDXKzw August 9, 2023
  46. blivybiab December 9, 2022
  47. Equillalk December 13, 2022
  48. Edgetdype December 15, 2022
  49. Bonsirl December 15, 2022
  50. Adopity December 16, 2022
  51. Sharleshiztz December 28, 2022
  52. Sharlesfclcw December 28, 2022
  53. Sharlesnmnce December 29, 2022
  54. Sharlesaoeuh December 29, 2022
  55. Sharlesoxtmk December 29, 2022
  56. Sharlesbxomi December 30, 2022
  57. Sharlesiohvh December 30, 2022
  58. Sharlesxsdau December 31, 2022
  59. Sharlesvvecq January 3, 2023
  60. Sharlesmsgve January 3, 2023
  61. Sharlesxiafm January 3, 2023
  62. Sharleshakac January 4, 2023
  63. Sharlesdlbzf January 4, 2023
  64. Sharlesvyjpa January 5, 2023
  65. Sharlesjctyw January 5, 2023
  66. Zakrit January 7, 2023
  67. Fafeseesk January 24, 2023
  68. gakeldera January 24, 2023
  69. amourne January 27, 2023
  70. ETHIPMENE January 28, 2023
  71. Yonrit January 29, 2023
  72. amourne January 30, 2023
  73. Engague February 2, 2023
  74. jepledo February 2, 2023
  75. ErrodaY February 3, 2023
  76. Gypereaph February 4, 2023
  77. Gypereaph February 5, 2023
  78. Slvjlo February 6, 2023
  79. Larryguing February 6, 2023
  80. Jamesxzyy February 8, 2023
  81. Jamesgvxz February 9, 2023
  82. Jamespjzd February 9, 2023
  83. Dangext February 9, 2023
  84. Jameshgea February 10, 2023
  85. Jameslfif February 10, 2023
  86. Jamesozzo February 10, 2023
  87. Jamesyskq February 11, 2023
  88. Jamesqgzm February 11, 2023
  89. Jamesersv February 11, 2023
  90. Jamesbkcv February 12, 2023
  91. AddevaRes February 15, 2023
  92. nercisa February 25, 2023
  93. Wameswjrrjn March 2, 2023
  94. Wamespejhxn March 2, 2023
  95. Wameskdacoi March 2, 2023
  96. Wamesfugkwc March 4, 2023
  97. Wamesibcoaa March 4, 2023
  98. fefevenly March 6, 2023
  99. itemync March 6, 2023
  100. UncomeRem March 10, 2023
  101. Higuilk April 23, 2023
  102. suba April 29, 2023
  103. Unrelia May 5, 2023
  104. Rublips May 30, 2023
  105. Rublips June 6, 2023
  106. ReTerTwywlq June 7, 2023
  107. ReTerTweyej June 9, 2023
  108. ReTerTwhjog June 9, 2023
  109. ReTerTwbmzx June 9, 2023
  110. ReTerTwuxdp June 10, 2023
  111. ReTerTwdqyu June 10, 2023
  112. ReTerTwlikb June 10, 2023
  113. ReTerTwcdjl June 11, 2023
  114. ReTerTwdwby June 11, 2023
  115. ReTerTwknag June 11, 2023
  116. ReTerTwonfb June 12, 2023
  117. ReTerTwyvuj June 12, 2023
  118. ReTerTwdgvk June 12, 2023
  119. ReTerTwlsyf June 13, 2023
  120. ReTerTwfviu June 13, 2023
  121. ReTerTwtddw June 13, 2023
  122. ReTerTwqvmw June 14, 2023
  123. ReTerTwtsau June 14, 2023
  124. ReTerTwaehl June 14, 2023
  125. ReTerTwiocs June 15, 2023
  126. ReTerTwrmkm June 15, 2023
  127. ReTerTwascy June 15, 2023
  128. ReTerTwenwk June 15, 2023
  129. ReTerTwbdci June 16, 2023
  130. ReTerTwhuot June 16, 2023
  131. spravki-kupit.ru June 26, 2023
  132. spravki-kupit.ru June 27, 2023
  133. spravki-kupit.ru June 27, 2023
  134. диплом June 29, 2023
  135. DeTerTwgpdx July 1, 2023
  136. DeTerTwztwe July 1, 2023
  137. DeTerTwztaj July 2, 2023
  138. DeTerTweoso July 4, 2023
  139. bezogoroda.ru July 4, 2023
  140. DeTerTwkwqx July 5, 2023
  141. byGslcVp July 5, 2023
  142. bezogoroda.ru July 5, 2023
  143. bezogoroda.ru July 6, 2023
  144. live online casino July 6, 2023
  145. DeTerTwahxd July 6, 2023
  146. daachka.ru July 7, 2023
  147. DeTerTwzjyq July 7, 2023
  148. nadachee.ru July 8, 2023
  149. DeTerTwbmtb July 9, 2023
  150. nadachee.ru July 10, 2023
  151. nadachee.ru July 10, 2023
  152. DeTerTwfrpi July 11, 2023
  153. yes-dacha.ru July 13, 2023
  154. DeTerTwhvfd July 13, 2023
  155. yes-dacha.ru July 13, 2023
  156. yes-dacha.ru July 13, 2023
  157. yes-dacha.ru July 13, 2023
  158. yes-dacha.ru July 14, 2023
  159. yes-dacha.ru July 14, 2023
  160. yes-dacha.ru July 14, 2023
  161. DeTerTwpjeo July 14, 2023
  162. rem-dom-stroy.ru July 14, 2023
  163. rem-dom-stroy.ru July 15, 2023
  164. rem-dom-stroy.ru July 15, 2023
  165. rem-dom-stroy.ru July 15, 2023
  166. DeTerTwvfpq July 15, 2023
  167. obshchestroy.ru July 16, 2023
  168. obshchestroy.ru July 16, 2023
  169. obshchestroy.ru July 16, 2023
  170. obshchestroy.ru July 16, 2023
  171. obshchestroy.ru July 16, 2023
  172. obshchestroy.ru July 17, 2023
  173. obshchestroy.ru July 17, 2023
  174. remont-master-info.ru July 17, 2023
  175. IPDefwp July 19, 2023
  176. Juristide konsultatsioon July 21, 2023
  177. Juriidiline abi July 21, 2023
  178. Jurist July 21, 2023
  179. Juriidiline abi July 22, 2023
  180. Juriidiline abi July 22, 2023
  181. Jurist July 23, 2023
  182. Õigusabi July 23, 2023
  183. Vejoift July 23, 2023
  184. Juriidiline abi July 23, 2023