Obesity in Mom Linked to Autism in Children
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: April 9, 2012
A new study shows being obese or diabetic during pregnancy may increase a woman's chances of having a child with autism.
The study looked at 1,000 children in California. Women in the study who were obese during pregnancy were about 67% more likely to have autistic children than women who were normal weight. They also had double the risk of having children with other developmental delays.
Mothers with diabetes were more than twice as likely to have a child with developmental delays. Researchers caution that more study is needed to confirm the results.
The study looked at 1,000 children in California. Women in the study who were obese during pregnancy were about 67% more likely to have autistic children than women who were normal weight. They also had double the risk of having children with other developmental delays.
Mothers with diabetes were more than twice as likely to have a child with developmental delays. Researchers caution that more study is needed to confirm the results.
