Contrary to previous research and popular belief, premature birth alone does not lead to autism.
A new study out of Israel shows there is no significant link between premature birth and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), reaffirming that the exact cause of autism is much more complex.
The findings were presented during The Pregnancy Meeting, an annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine on Feb. 14.
Researchers looked at records from hospitals and community clinics for almost 115,000 deliveries in Israel between 2005 and 2017. The data included mothers and infants who were Jewish, Muslim, and Bedouin, a Muslim minority group. Just over 93 percent of the births were delivered at term, defined as 37 weeks or more. Only 1.2 percent were preterm, while 6 percent were late- or moderately late-term.
Rather than preterm birth being linked to autism, the research team believes that multiple factors likely account for a child developing the developmental condition.
“The exact cause of autism is complex,” Dr. Sapir Ellouk, lead author of the study, said in a press release. “But based on our data, a single obstetric factor is unlikely to be the cause of ASD. A more plausible theory involves the simultaneous presence of multiple factors.”
Research into the cause of autism, particularly research aimed at investigating the possible link between preterm birth and autism, has been controversial.
Autism Rates on the Rise in the US, Early Signs
In 2020, in the United States, one in 36 children had autism, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with the developmental disorder at a rate of four in 100 versus one in 100 for girls. Autism is also more prevalent in black, Hispanic, Asian, or Pacific Islander children than white, the CDC reports. These rates are higher than those reported in 2000–2018.The definition of ASD is vague because researchers still don’t have a firm grasp on how the disorder develops. Additionally, the disorder presents in myriad ways from person to person. Individuals with ASD might behave, communicate, learn, or interact in ways that are different from others, but often, there is nothing else that sets them apart. In fact, the skill sets of those on the autistic spectrum vary wildly; some people may have advanced language and conversation skills, while others may be nonverbal.
- Not responding to their name at 9 months old
- Lack of facial expressions of emotions at 9 months old
- Not playing simple interactive games at 12 months old
- Using few or no simple gestures at 12 months old
- Lack of common interests with peers at 15 months old
- Not showing empathy when others are hurt at 24 months old
- Not playing with other children at 3 years old
- Not engaging in pretend play at 4 years old
- Not singing, dancing, or acting at 5 years old