Title: Questions for Robert Joseph: How extreme prematurity ups autism risk | Spectrum | Autism Research News
Headings: Questions for Robert Joseph: How extreme prematurity ups autism risk
Questions for Robert Joseph: How extreme prematurity ups autism risk
Robert Joseph

Content: And we believe that in the absence of these neuroprotective factors, certain prenatal environmental exposures and events, and the inflammatory processes that accompany them, can lead to brain injury. S: A mother may go into preterm labor for many reasons. How might these reasons influence autism risk? J: We’re trying to understand better how maternal and intrauterine characteristics and exposures put the child at greater risk for both preterm birth and autism. We and other researchers are finding that one of the strongest predictors of autism in preterm infants is fetal growth restriction, being small for gestational age. It’s possible that a lack of growth results in extremely premature birth, and the deleterious effects of exiting the womb midway through gestation further raises the risk of autism. Preterm birth may cut short infants’ exposure to factors that might protect against autism in a full-term infant. Not only are preemies entering the world early, but they may be exposed to maternal health problems that trigger preterm labor.