Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is caused by a
complex combination of genetic factors and
environmental influences that affect early brain development.
It does not have one single cause; rather,
it results from multiple genetic mutations,
sometimes in combination with environmental stressors during pregnancy or birth.
Genetic Factors: Genetics play a major role, as ASD can run in families, and spontaneous genetic mutations can occur.
Only about 15-20% of cases are linked to a known genetic disorder, with the rest involving complex, multiple genetic variations.
Environmental Influences: Exposure during pregnancy,
- such as certain medications (e.g., valproic acid),
- air pollution, or,
- in rare cases, specific maternal infections, may increase risk.
Parental Age: Advanced maternal age (over 40) or paternal age (over 50) at conception are linked to higher risks.
Pregnancy and Birth Complications: Extreme prematurity (before 26 weeks), very low birth weight, or birth complications involving oxygen deprivation to the brain can increase risk.
- Vaccines: Multiple studies have disproven any link between vaccines and autism.
- Are you looking for information on early signs to watch for in infants, or are you interested in the genetic testing options available for families?
- Early detection and understanding the genetic landscape are key steps for families.
- While autism is a behavioral diagnosis, specific physical and social "red flags" can appear in infancy, and genetic testing can often provide an underlying explanation for the condition.
- Chromosomal Microarray (CMA): The "first-tier" test
