Causes And Risk Factors Leading To Infantile Autism

What causes infantile autism or autism in children? We do not know for sure or with certainty the causes of infantile or juvenile autism. However, we are sure there is a link that is apparent - genetic susceptibility and environmental agents that may be factors that can lead to autism, acting in concert with several other agents. We find an increasing number of infantile austism cases, but this can be due to better diagnostic techniques so that most cases could be diagnosed and recognized and not gone undiscovered.

Before we go into detail on what are the causes and risk factors leading to infantile autism, let us watch a video where a parent who is a professor in a college explains his quest to determine a cause for autism in his child and his quest for a successful treatment. These two videos will provide the background for some controversial claims on the causes of autism and treatment, after which we can go into further details on the probably causes of autism.

Part 1

Part 2

Is infantile autism inherited? Research tentatively shows that around 90% of autism cases possess a genetic link, out of which the EN2 gene ( otherwise known as Engrailed 2 gene ) is believed to have caused around 40% of the autism cases where the EN2 gene’s expression, if hampered, could impact on normal brain development. Are there more genes that can cause autism by way of interaction and malfunction together? At this point, research is still underway.If there is autism in the family, there is an increased risk of someone else in the family having autism, Asperger syndrome or a language disorder. The risk is increased from about 1:1000 to 2-3 in 100.

The quality and integrity of genetic material is also a factor to be concerned with. In a research study in 2007, it was found that higher parental age was a factor of interest. Where the mother, or father was of older age, and where the mother was born outside of Europe or North America, we see a higher rate of infantile autism cases for children.

There are claims that some cases of autism are related to environmental factors and also due to childhood immunizations, but these are controversial and there are no strong statistical correlation and backing to these claims on the incidence of infantile autism. In fact, immunisation is generally not a cause of autism. Many very large research studies have been done and these clearly show there is no causative link between any immunisation and autism. l

On the other hand, the prenatal environment has been suspected to be a strong factor, especially during the first eight weeks of gestation. Although inconclusive, exposure to the rubella virus or to pesticides may be causes of autism in children.

Maternal folic acid levels may have some bearing, as folic acid is directly involved in neural tube development in the fetus and has a direct effect on gene expression. Perhaps the most promising research finding recently has been the association of maternal infection early in pregnancy with the child’s later autism.

In general,

• There is no one cause for autism. The causes can vary in different people.
• It is possibly caused by a combination of genetic factors, viral infection and/or complications during pregnancy.

People reading this article also read the following resources on autism:

1)  Essential Guide To Autism - Discover Vital Information About Autism & Check For Autistic Traits - Get What Really Works. Click for details.

2) Complete Autism Package. 1 In 166 Babies Have Autism.  Interview With Autism Expert Trained By Famous Dr. Andrew Weil. Click for details.

3) The Parenting Autism Resource Guide. A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Autism. Click for details.

4) Positive Approaches To Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Short Books Offering An Informative And Positive Approach To Autism, Aspergers Syndrome And Dyspraxia For Parents, Carers And Teachers. Click for details.

5) Autism Essential Guide - The Complete Guide To Finally Understanding Autism. In Depth Report On Autism. Filled With Informative Literature The Reader Will Get The Real Facts About Autism And Learn How To Cope With The Stress Of Raising And Teaching An Autistic Child. Click for details.