Do Premature Births Lead to the Risk of Autism?

According to the standards of the World Health Organization, premature birth is defined as the birth of live children before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Premature births occur for various reasons, most of which are spontaneous.

Premature infants may face numerous risks, including breathing problems, infections, and severe digestive system diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis. Premature birth not only leads to immediate health complications but is also considered a potential cause of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, children born prematurely are about 30% more likely to develop ASD, and those born at 23-27 weeks of pregnancy have a threefold higher risk. The potential causal link between premature birth and autism is still to be confirmed, but it is possible that genetic factors and chronic diseases may contribute to both.

Several factors associated with premature birth may increase the likelihood of developing ASD.

Premature infants experience a number of severe complications that can significantly affect their neurological development, depending on whether certain risk factors appear later on.

• Respiratory distress syndrome is common, as these infants have difficulty breathing due to underdeveloped lungs.
• Intraventricular hemorrhage presents a serious danger to brain development.
• Many premature infants experience periodic drops in blood oxygen levels, which can affect brain function. Additionally, jaundice is common in premature infants, and if severe, it can lead to neurological complications.

Research also shows that genetic factors may contribute to both the risk of premature birth and the likelihood of developing autism. Specific gene variations may increase susceptibility to these conditions, suggesting a potential connection between them.

In this regard, parents of premature children should pay special attention to effective treatments for autism, such as cell therapy. This involves stem cell transplantation, which is abundant in umbilical cord blood and bone marrow. These cells replace damaged ones and restore normal brain function.

The procedure requires state-of-the-art equipment managed by highly skilled specialists, and this combination is offered by the world-renowned Mardaleishvili Medical Center. It is one of the leading clinics globally that uses cell therapy, and it has accumulated significant success in autism treatment.

Ensure your child’s normal development — undergo stem cell therapy!