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Epidemiologic Features of Autism Spectrum Disorders

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The Molecular Basis of Autism

Part of the book series: Contemporary Clinical Neuroscience ((CCNE))

Abstract

Since its discovery, there has been much debate regarding both the etiology of autism as well as its prevalence. While initially thought to be rare, autism has a rising prevalence with a most recent estimate of 14.7 per 1000 in eight year olds. A number of potential risk factors have been investigated including maternal age, prenatal and perinatal factors, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. However, no direct risk factor for autism has been identified. Additionally, over 100 genes have been identified as putative autism risk genes. Taken together, the number of potential environmental, genetic, developmental, and biological risk factors for autism points to a multifactorial etiology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Campus Delivery Code MDC56, 33620, Tampa, FL, USA

    Russell S. Kirby PhD., MS, FACE

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  1. Russell S. Kirby PhD., MS, FACE
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Correspondence to Russell S. Kirby PhD., MS, FACE .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroscience and Pharmacology MMC 392, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    S. Hossein Fatemi

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Kirby, R. (2015). Epidemiologic Features of Autism Spectrum Disorders. In: Fatemi, S. (eds) The Molecular Basis of Autism. Contemporary Clinical Neuroscience. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2190-4_3

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