In a nationwide US cohort, parental subfecundity was associated with higher odds of autism spectrum disorder and modest increases in behavioral symptoms, while in vitro fertilization showed no statistically significant associations with neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Edited
Andrea Surnit
Conexiant June 19, 2026
3 Topic Commentaries
Fertility Issues May Be Linked to Autism
Heather E. Volk, PhD
Environmental and autism epidemiology
•
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
This research could also provide insight on genetic contributions to autism that are potentially being missed by gene sequencing analysis that only looks at direct DNA code.
Changes in the epigenome can be influenced by genes, the environment, or age, and the new research can show us more about how epigenetic changes in parents influence the health of children.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH)
We definitely need more research to determine if there’s a link between maternal PCOS and behavioral problems in their offspring. Until more definitive evidence is available, parents shouldn’t worry, but they may want to be alert so they can consult a pediatrician early if they notice problems.
Bio:Andrea Surnit is an editor for Conexiant whose work includes cardiology news and journal coverage. She edited Conexiant reporting on proactive care coordination for older Medicare patients with cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors.
3 Topic Commentaries
Fertility Issues May Be Linked to Autism
Heather E. Volk, PhD
Environmental and autism epidemiology
•Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Andrew Feinberg, MD
Epigenetics
•Johns Hopkins University
Edwina H. Y. Yeung, PhD, ScM
Population and reproductive epidemiology
•Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH)
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