Pregnancy/Birth Injury and Autism

The idea that autism is caused by difficulties occurring during the pregnancy or birth process is also being investigated. Only in very exceptional cases can illness during pregnancy be a secondary cause of autism.

Prenatal environment
The risk of autism is associated with several prenatal risk factors. Autism has been linked to birth defect agents acting during the first eight weeks from conception, though these cases are rare. Other potential prenatal environmental factors do not have convincing scientific evidence.

1. Maternal infection and autism
   
   Maternal infection and autism
2. Gestational diabetes and autism
   
   Gestational diabetes and autism
3. Teratogens and Autism
   
   Teratogens and Autism
4. Pesticides And Autism
   
   Pesticides And Autism
5. Thyroid Problems And Autism
   
   Thyroid Problems And Autism
6. Prenatal Stress and Autism
   
   Prenatal Stress and Autism. Prenatal stress, consisting of exposure to life events or environmental factors that distress anexpectant mother, has been hypothesized to contribute to autism, possibly as part of agene-environment interaction.
7. Perinatal Environment and Autism
   
   Perinatal Environment and Autism. A 2007 review of risk factors found associated obstetric conditions that included low birth weight and gestation duration, and hypoxia during childbirth.