Premature Babies & Autism

In addition to other health risks, premature babies may also be at a much higher risk of developing autism.

I'm not sure anyone knows exactly why, but premature and low-weight babies could have a greater chance of developing autism. But knowing this might help get them treatment early on.

A new study, just appearing in the Journal Pediatrics followed 862 infants born in the 1980s, researchers watched them until they turned 21. They were all born premature and at low weights. 5% of them ended up developing autism. That's a 5 times greater risk than most infants have, since only 1% of infants in the general population end up with this disorder.

So, why is there a bigger risk with preemies and low-birth weight babies? Although no one knows for sure, we do know that premature and low-birth weight babies have other developmental issues. And these other developmental issues can hide their autism until much later in life. But knowing they are at a higher risk of developing autism means we can look more closely for it. And finding it earlier can mean earlier treatment, making it more likely to be successful.