A new study led by a UCC researcher and published in a leading international journal has found that delivery by C-section is associated with an increased risk of Autism in childhood.

The findings have been published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

The review examined literature on observational studies in various countries including the US, Australia, Canada and Sweden investigating the effects of delivery by Caesarean section on ASD.

Overall the findings suggest that children born by Caesarean section have a 23% increased risk of ASD.

Professor Louise Kenny is one of the authors and a practicing obstetrician: