16 Hidden Triggers That Could Unravel the Mystery of Autism Spectrum Disorder

3. Preterm Babies

A full-term pregnancy lasts between 36 and 40 weeks, while babies born before 26 weeks are classified as extremely preterm. Survival rates for preterm babies have improved, but many face long-term developmental challenges. Studies indicate that preterm birth significantly increases the likelihood of autism. One study found nearly 30% of extremely preterm infants had autism, compared to an estimated 1% of the general population. However, since preterm babies are closely monitored, they may receive diagnoses that would otherwise be missed. The third trimester is a critical period for brain development, and when a baby is born early, their neural pathways may form differently. Preterm infants also experience higher stress levels in neonatal care, potentially impacting cognitive and sensory development in ways that align with autism traits.

4. Children With Certain Medical Conditions

Autism frequently coexists with other medical conditions, though the reasons for these links remain unclear. Some conditions may arise from shared genetic or neurological factors, while others may directly contribute to autism traits. Fragile X syndrome, a genetic disorder causing intellectual disability, overlaps significantly with autism, with around 30% of individuals diagnosed with both conditions. Similarly, tuberous sclerosis—a condition that causes benign tumors to form in the brain—has an autism prevalence of 25–50%. Rett syndrome, previously categorized under autism, is now considered a distinct neurological disorder with significant symptom overlap. These associations suggest that autism may be one of several ways certain genetic or neurological variations manifest, rather than an isolated condition.