Environment

Pregnant women’s use of acetaminophen may increase the odds of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in their children.

Children born with high blood levels of vitamin D have 25 percent decreased odds of autism compared with those born with low levels.

Female mice can withstand a maternal antibody that triggers brain abnormalities and autism-like behaviors in males. But additional immune challenges spell trouble.

Exposure to infection in utero may speed up the expression of many genes linked to autism — and hasten changes in brain anatomy.

Marmosets exposed to a mock infection in the womb have altered vocal development and diminished social interest; exposed macaques show changes in brain structure and function.

A 3D model of a human embryo reveals the biological processes that unfold in early development.

Being anemic while pregnant may increase a woman’s chance of having a child with intellectual disability, autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

A new study that combines data from more than 20 million births has found that a cesarean section delivery is associated with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The more words autistic children hear as infants — and the more verbal interactions they have with their caregivers — the better their language skills at age 2.