[Source Medical X-Press]

Babies born prematurely, even just a couple weeks early, may be at increased risk of autism, a large new study suggests.

It’s long been known that autism, a developmental brain disorder, is more common among children who were born preterm—before the 37th week of pregnancy.

Researchers said the new study, of more than 4 million people, gives a clearer breakdown of the risks associated with different degrees of prematurity.

It also points to a slightly higher prevalence of autism among children who were born just a couple weeks before their due date—what doctors call “early term.”

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