Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders

by Ricker Polsdorfer, MD

En Español (Spanish Version)

A risk factor is something that raises your chances of getting a health problem. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can happen with or without any of the risks listed below. The more that are present, the higher the chances that ASD can develop. There is no known way to change your child's risk for ASD.

There has been much attention in the media about a link between ASD and vaccines. This is partly because of a vaccine preservative called thimerosal. No studies have found any link between vaccines and ASD.

ASD is more common in white males. But when girls have ASD, their symptoms may be more intense.

Other factors that make the risk higher:

Genetics

ASD tends to run in families. This is mainly true with twins or other siblings.

There may be a link with problems in a certain chromosome and ASD. But it may only affect a small percentage of children.

Age of Parents

Either parent 35 years or older can make the risk of ASD in a child higher. The risk goes up with a parent's age.

Problems from Pregnancy or Birth TOP

Mothers who had problems during pregnancy or birth may raise the risk of ASD risk in their children. This may include:

Babies born too early—the risk is higher with earlier birth (especially at 26 weeks of pregnancy)
Breech delivery or other birth trauma
Babies born with lower than normal birth weight
Babies born with birth defects

Other Health Problems TOP

There is a wide range of health issues linked to ASD. These include:

Genetic disorders such as Fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis
Developmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), tic disorders such as Tourette syndrome, or those with language or movement problems
Epilepsy
Problems in the gut such as gastroesophageal reflux, or ongoing constipation, diarrhea, or belly pain
Immune system problems
Sleep problems
Mental health problems such as personality, anxiety, behavioral, and psychotic disorders, depression, or substance or alcohol use disorders

REFERENCES:

Autism spectrum disorder. National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml. Updated March 2018. Accessed August 16, 2019.

Autism spectrum disorders. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113665/Autism-spectrum-disorders. Updated July 1, 2019. Accessed August 16, 2019.

Johnson CP, Myers SM, American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Children with Disabilities. Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2007;120(5):1183-1215.

What is autism spectrum disorder? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html. Updated May 3, 2018. Accessed August 16, 2019.

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Last reviewed December 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrian Preda, MD
Last Updated: 8/16/2019

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