Autism Spectrum Disorder: Causes and Risk Factors

Autism Spectrum Disorder may be caused by two factors, genetic and environmental. Environmental factors causing autism spectrum disorder such as medications, infections, and complications during pregnancy are currently being researched by scientists. However, several genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorder and may be associated as a genetic disorder. For example Rett syndrome involves a genetic disorder. As well, mutations to genes can increase the risk for autism spectrum disorder. Other factors such as the patient's sex, boys are four times as likely to develop autism spectrum disorder than females, family history of autism spectrum disorder, and there is increased risk for extremely preterm babies.