Doctors ID new risk factor for autism

Doctors may have identified a new risk factor for autism.

A California team found that babies born to mothers who developed gestational diabetes before 26 weeks of pregnancy had a higher risk of autism.

The risk was 42-percent higher.

But there was no increase for women diagnosed later.

The study didn't look at why this is, but it may be the effect of high blood sugar on the developing brain of the fetus.