Cytomegalovirus or rubella infection in the mother during pregnancy

 

The evidence of this is extremely minor in that it is reported in just one scientific paper.  Prenatal CMV infections are much more common than is realised, the sign of tissue damage in the foetus is only taking place in a relatively small proportion of them.   As such the report shown here may not be significant but should be remembered.

 

Also, see link to infections involved in autism/ASD

 

Prenatal infections (there is also some consideration about CMV)

 

Swisher CN, Swisher L. Letter: Congenital rubella and autistic behavior. N Engl J Med. 1975 Jul 24;293(4):198. (There is not a large amount of data on this subject and some was published in the 1970s or earlier).

 

Chess S, Fernandez P. Neurologic damage and behavior disorder in rubella children. Am Ann Deaf. 1980 Nov;125(8):998-1001.  

 

Sweeten TL, Posey DJ, McDougle CJ. Brief report: autistic disorder in three children with cytomegalovirus infection.  J Autism Dev Disord. 2004 Oct;34(5):583-6. (a simple report of CMV infected pre or perinatally)