De novo mutations, or new changes in genes that are formed before or after conception, can also contribute to the onset of autism. Genes combined with other factormi increase the likelihood of an autism spectrum disorder.Factors in the environmentWhat does environmental risk factor mean? The phrase is associated with contaminants or chemicals, but it is really anything that is not stored in DNA that is contributing to the disorder.
Studies show more frequent occurrence of pregnancy complications in mothers of children who were later diagnosed with autism, e.g. undercarried or transferred pregnancy, taking certain medications (e.g. for epilepsy) during pregnancy, hypoxia during childbirth, gestational diabetes. Autism is associated with more advanced parental age, birth order (first, fourth or later), a short break between pregnancies, and low birth weight.
The study of environmental factors is difficult, therefore there is no precise answer to the question of how environmental factors work and which of them are particularly important.Environmental factors, combined with genetic factors, increase the likelihood of an autism spectrum disorder.Vaccinations are not related to autismA few years ago, vaccination received a lot of attention as a contributing factor to the autism spectrum disorder.
In the 90s, a publication about the relationship of the MMR vaccine with autism appeared in the renowned scientific journal Lancet. The lead author was Andrewa Wakefield. Subsequent studies did not confirm the results obtained by Wakefield. After some time it turned out that Andrew Wakefield received funding from people who demanded damages from pharmaceutical companies and that some of the data was falsified.