Autism Risk Tied to Pregnancy Interval

Autism Risk Tied to Pregnancy Interval

According to a study in the February issue of Pediatrics, children who are born less than 12 months apart from their siblings are up to three times more likely to develop autism. Unlike the focus on the external factors, such as vaccines, as a potential risk for autism, this study focused on a key internal factor.

The research suggests that an important nutrient for expectant mothers if something called Folate. The short break between pregnancies can leave the mother depleted of this nutrient and rains the risks of the condition. The authors believe that if they can confirm their findings that it may be possible to lower this risk by adding folate to the mothers nutritional regimen in the form of supplements.

The research was based on data from California on about 660,000 second-born children born in a 10 year period beginning in1992. Of the children conceived within one year of an older child, the results showed a three times greater occurrence of autism when compared to a group where children were more than three years apart. With a one to two year separation, the risk dropped to 2 times, and when spaced over 35 months the risk was down to only 1.25% greater.