How can maternal infections during pregnancy affect the risk of autism spectrum disorder?

Research indicates that maternal infections during pregnancy are considered an environmental factor that may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring.12

When a mother experiences an infection, such as the rubella virus, it triggers an activation of her immune system. Scientific evidence suggests that this immunological activity during the early stages of pregnancy can lead to changes in the development of the embryo or fetus brain. While the exact cause of autism remains unclear, it is understood that these environmental factors likely interact with genetic vulnerabilities to influence the development of the condition.1