The understanding of autism has evolved since 1911, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) now seen as a set of traits rather than an illness. Research indicates that infections during pregnancy, such as influenza, may contribute to the risk of autism in children. Studies led by Dr. Ian Lipkin suggest that women with certain infections during pregnancy have a higher risk of having children diagnosed with ASD. Additionally, Dr. Irene Sanchez Martin's research on mice indicates that maternal immune activation during pregnancy may lead to developmental deficits associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Teljes cikk (Euronews.com)