Find out what CDC has learned.

At CDC, we know that people want answers to what is causing this increase, and so do we. The reasons for the increase in the identified prevalence of ASDs are not understood completely. Some of the increase is due to the way children are identified, diagnosed, and served in their local communities, although exactly how much is due to these factors is unknown. Also, it is likely that reported increases are explained partly by greater awareness by doctors, teachers, and parents. To understand more, CDC will keep guiding and conducting research into what is putting our children at risk.
However, the data tell us one thing with certainty—more children are being identified as having ASDs than ever before and these children and their families need help.
Pregnancy and Birth Factors
CDC researchers developed a model to estimate how changes in six pregnancy and birth factors might have contributed to the increase in ASD prevalence:
- Preterm and very preterm delivery
- Low and very low birthweight
- Multiple birth
- Cesarean delivery
- Breech presentation
- In vitro fertilization or other assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs)
The study found that it is very unlikely that any of the pregnancy and birth factors included in the study could have been responsible for such a large increase in ASDs from 2002 through 2006.
However, the model developed for this study will be useful for future research and can be used to assess other risk factor scenarios.
Evaluation Workshop

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