Background: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental
disorders characterized by varying deficits in social interactions, communication,
and learning, as well as stereotypic behaviors. Despite the significant increase in
ASD, there are few if any clues for its pathogenesis, hampering early detection or
treatment. Premature ... read morebabies are also more vulnerable to infections and inflammation
leading to neurodevelopmental problems and higher risk of developing ASD. Many autism
"susceptibility" genes have been identified, but "environmental" factors appear to
play a significant role. Increasing evidence suggests that there are different ASD
endophenotypes.