Potential Causes And Risk Factors Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Low Birth Weight

Over the past two decades, the number of preterm births has gone up. At the same time, the survival rate of preterm infants has drastically improved. Infants who weigh two thousand grams or less at birth have been shown to have an autism spectrum disorder prevalence that's five times higher in adulthood than children born at an average weight. Two thousand grams is sometimes hard for individuals to conceptualize. For reference, this translates to a birth weight of around 4.4 pounds or less. Neurodevelopmental disorders are more likely to occur in children who are born prematurely and have a low birth weight. The study that found a fivefold increase in autism spectrum disorder rates was done by surveying young adults born prematurely. Rather than seeking individuals who had already been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the study used a screening questionnaire to determine whether individuals might have it. Many of the participants in the study had never had a diagnosis before the study because they tended to have strong social skills and intelligence.

Keep reading to learn about risk factors and autism spectrum disorder now.