autism & bereavement

It was studied & no link was found:

STUDY: IMPACT OF MATERNAL BEREAVMENT ON AUTISM RISK
A study published in the April 9th edition of the journal Pediatrics examines whether prenatal stress exposure after maternal bereavement is associated with an increased risk of autism later in life. According to the study authors, prenatal stress has been linked to several adverse neurobehavioral outcomes. A nationwide population-based cohort study of 1,492,709 children was conducted in Denmark from 1978 to 2003. 37,275 children were born to women who lost a close relative either during pregnancy or up to one year before pregnancy. These children were considered the “exposed group” and were compared to the remaining group of children (the “unexposed group”). All children were followed up from birth until their death, migration, onset of autism, or the end of 2006. The study authors found that there was no association between maternal bereavement during the prenatal period and an increased risk of autism. To access the study online, go to http://pediatrics.aappublicati
ons.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/4/1102.