A new study published online in Pediatrics, a journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, suggests that we may be closer to finding the real cause of autism: neuro-developmental changes which babies undergo in utero when a mother has contracted influenza, had a prolonged fever, or used certain antibiotics during pregnancy.

This will come as good news and bad news. To those parents who are still afraid of the effects of immunizations on children, the study is good news. For mothers who are pregnant, the study might prove frightening, but it is important to realize that no study, including this new one, has found a definite cause of autism. Rather, the study simply gives medical professionals and parents a clearer picture of the cause of autism.

The researchers conclude that autism may start while a child is in utero. This conclusion supports my personal experience as a pediatrician. I have many children in my practice with autism and the majority of the mothers of these children have told me that they knew that something was different with their children right from birth. They couldn’t put their fingers on the difference, but intuitively, they knew something wasn’t right.

Animal…