Teratogens and Autism

Teratogens are environmental agents that cause birth defects. Some agents that are known to cause other birth defects have also been found to be related to autism risk.

These include exposure of the embryo to thalidomide, valproic acid, or misoprostol. These cases are rare.

Questions have also been raised whether ethanol (grain alcohol) increases autism risk, as part of fetal alcohol syndrome or alcohol-related birth defects, but current evidence is insufficient to determine whether autism risk is actually elevated with ethanol.

All known teratogens appear to act during the first eight weeks from conception, and though this does not exclude the possibility that autism can be initiated or affected later, it is strong evidence that autism arises very early in development.

Teratogens and Autism
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Autism Checklist
What You Should Know About Autism Spectrum Disorders