Question 1

do a lot of ultrasounds cause autism during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Not at all: Research at this point is pointing to genetic issues (encoding errors) that exist in the egg or sperm before conception as a main cause of autism &amp; associated disorders. Ultrasound has no effect on the formation of the fetus or incidence of autism.

Question 2

can stress during pregnancy cause autism? what causes autism in babies

Accepted Answer

Doubt it/not clear: Advances in computer tech has led to an improved ability to study the human gene sequence. As they study autistic kids, they find many have mistakes in the gene code, like misprinted words on a page. The gene code, contained in the chromosomes at conception, tells the fetus how to form everything, include brain pathways affected by autism. It happens before conception. How is not clear.

Question 3

can a pregnant woman's use of effexor (venlafaxine) cause autism in the baby?

Accepted Answer

Don't  think  so: I know of no good study to make you worry about this.

Question 4

what causes one to develop autism? is it something the child is born with? is their anything a pregnant woman can do to help prevent this?

Accepted Answer

Multiple factors: This is a very complex question, and a lot of research is under way to answer these very questions.  Your obstetrician should be an excellent source of information for you.
Currently, we believe that autism has several factors--genetic inheritance, development during pregnancy, infections, trauma, toxins present during pregnancy, and so on. Please get reputable guidance from your ob.

Question 5

i'm 6 weeks pregnant. my husband has been told that u/s are bad for baby and can cause autism. is this true? i really want a us to make sure all is ok

Accepted Answer

Incorrect: There is no definitive evidence of an ultrasound causing autism that I am aware of.

Question 6

are some antiepileptic medications known to cause birth defects or autism in a 22 week pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Antiepileptic: Yes, this is something you need to discuss with your ob.  Monitoring can be done, to help determine if there are any anomalies.. Do not just stop the medication though, because seizures can cause a bigger problem for the fetus.

Question 7

is it harmful to have high folic acid levels in body prior to getting pregnant? i have read high folic acid prior to pregnancy my cause autism, true?

Accepted Answer

Folic acid: The cause(s) of autism are not completely known. A high Folic Acid level is not one of them though. Having a good Folic Acid intake prior to conception actually decreases certain birth defects in pregnancy. Taking about 1-4mg of Folic Acid while trying to conceive is actually a good idea.

Question 8

did extreme emotional stress during pregnancy cause birth defects or autism in the baby?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: No particular cause has been associated with autism but a combination of factors may contribute. Severe emotional stress during pregnancy however may result in factors that may contribute to poor maternal health with resultant low birth and prematurity. These in turn may contribute to factors that may negatively impact a baby cognitively.

Question 9

i am 17 weeks pregnant & would love to get the covid vaccine. however i'm nervous on the effects it might have on my baby. i am more worried about if it could cause developmental issues/autism later down the road. any advice?

Accepted Answer

: Please get the vaccine as soon as possible. Vaccine studies have not shown any developmental or autism effects to date. The risk of not getting the vaccine could mean that you may not get to watch your new infant grow into adulthood due to your demise from COVID 19.

Question 10

how can autism be diagnosed while pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Confusing question: Are you referring to mom or baby ? If baby, there are some emerging studies that have detected patterns of genetic code alterations in autistic kids who have an affected sibling. These small insertions or deletions of genetic code may be amenable to prenatal diagnosis in a few years but would not pick up every case.At this point we are unable to define who  or why a kid will develop the pattern.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Can smoking while pregnant cause autism

A member asked:

Do a lot of ultrasounds cause autism during pregnancy?

A member asked:

Can stress during pregnancy cause autism? what causes autism in babies

A member asked:

Can a pregnant woman's use of effexor (venlafaxine) cause autism in the baby?

A member asked:

What causes one to develop autism? is it something the child is born with? is their anything a pregnant woman can do to help prevent this?

A member asked:

I'm 6 weeks pregnant. my husband has been told that u/s are bad for baby and can cause autism. is this true? i really want a us to make sure all is ok

A member asked:

Are some antiepileptic medications known to cause birth defects or autism in a 22 week pregnancy?

A member asked:

Is it harmful to have high folic acid levels in body prior to getting pregnant? i have read high folic acid prior to pregnancy my cause autism, true?

A member asked:

Did extreme emotional stress during pregnancy cause birth defects or autism in the baby?

A member asked:

I am 17 weeks pregnant & would love to get the covid vaccine. however i'm nervous on the effects it might have on my baby. i am more worried about if it could cause developmental issues/autism later down the road. any advice?

A member asked:

How can autism be diagnosed while pregnancy?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?