A risk factor is something that raises the chances of getting a health problem. A person can get autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with or without the ones listed below. The chances of getting ASD are greater in people who have many.
ASD is more common in males. Other things that may raise the risk are:
Genetics
ASD tends to run in families. Parents may have one or more children who have ASD.
A faulty gene may play a role in whether a child has ASD. But this is not common.
Age of Parents
The risk of having a child with ASD is higher when the mother is 40 years of age or older and the father is 50 years of age or older.
Problems from Pregnancy or Birth
The risk of ASD is higher in mothers who had problems during pregnancy or birth. This includes these problems in the baby:
- Being born too early
- Low birth weight
- Birth injury or trauma
- Birth defects
- Meconium aspiration syndrome—when the baby inhales stool from the fluid in the womb
- Anemia—a low level of healthy red blood cells
- Blood type incompatibility between the mother and baby
The risk of having a child with ASD is also higher in mothers who took antidepressants during pregnancy.
Other Health Problems
The risk of ASD is higher in children who have other health problems, such as:
- Genetic problems, such as Fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis
- Epilepsy
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as gastroesophageal reflux, constipation, diarrhea, or belly pain
- Problems with the immune system
- Problems sleeping
- Mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression
Vaccines Do Not Raise the Risk of ASD
No studies have found any link between vaccines and ASD.
References
Autism. Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/Autism/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed May 16, 2022.
Autism spectrum disorder. National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd. Accessed May 16, 2022.
Autism spectrum disorders. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/autism-spectrum-disorders. Accessed May 16, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Kari Kuenn, MD
- Review Date: 11/2021
- Update Date: 05/16/2022