Researchers Tie Low Birth Weight to Autism

PHILADELPHIA -- Autism is far more common in low-birth-weight babies than the general population, researchers are reporting Monday, a significant finding that nevertheless raises more questions than it answers and illustrates how little is known about a group of disorders that affect nearly 1 percent of American children.
The study found that 5 percent of newborns weighing less than 4 pounds, 7 ounces were later diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, as were nearly 11 percent of a subgroup born below 3 pounds, 5 ounces.