Study: Autism could be linked to specific pregnancy complication

CHICAGO (AP) — New research says diabetes that develops by the 26th week of pregnancy may increase women's chances of having a child with autism.

The risk was seen in young children whose mothers were diagnosed with diabetes during the most crucial period of fetal brain development.

These children were 40 percent more likely to be diagnosed with autism than those whose moms didn't have diabetes.

Youngsters whose mothers had pre-existing diabetes or developed it later in pregnancy faced no extra autism risk.

The research is observational and suggests a link but isn't proof of any cause and effect.

The study was published in Tuesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.