New study takes on another myth about what causes autism: ‘Many mothers feel guilty’
NY Post
Despite decades of extensive research, the precise causes of autism are still a mystery.
About 1 in 36 US children have been diagnosed with autism, a complex group of developmental conditions characterized by repetitive behaviors and difficulties with social interactions. Recent studies have suggested that maternal sickness during pregnancy increases the risk of autism in the child.
But new research from NYU Langone Health found “no convincing evidence” that autism can be caused by a mother contracting an infection, suffering depression or having other health troubles while pregnant.
Instead, the researchers said autism diagnoses can often be chalked up to genetics, exposure to pollution and access to healthcare.
“We saw no association between the individual [diagnostic codes on medical records] indicating maternal infection and [a child’s] autism diagnosis,” senior study author Magdalena Janecka told The Post, “however, we cannot say conclusively that maternal infection does not cause autism.”
Janecka’s team analyzed more than 1.1 million Danish pregnancies. Denmark’s registry data is better organized and more comprehensive than the US system, said Janecka, an associate professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
