Autism risk more strongly linked to genetics
Maternal risk doesn't explain any variation in autism risk, research suggests
24th July 2019
Most of the variation in risk for autism is explained by genetics rather than differences in environmental factors, like lifestyle or community characteristics or certain pregnancy outcomes, a study in five countries suggests.
Autism spectrum disorder has long been thought to involve inherited genetic traits, and previous research also suggests that some non-inherited traits and maternal characteristics may also play a role.
For this latest study, the researchers examined data on births from 1998 to 2007 in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Israel