Study Links Autism to Pregnancy Infections

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A huge new Danish study links the flu and prolonged fever during pregnancy to a higher risk of having a child with autism.

Mothers who reported having the flu during pregnancy had twice the risk of having a child with the disorder.  If they had a prolonged fever during pregnancy, there was triple the risk.  There was also a small increased risk if the pregnant women took antibiotics.

The research is published in the journal Pediatrics.

FOX 4 Medical Reporter Meryl Lin McKean has local reaction.