Japanese researchers compared the screen time levels of 84,000 one-year-olds against diagnoses rates aged three and discovered that boys exposed to screens for two to four hours were 3.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism. Experts at the University of Yamanashi said their findings support limiting excessive screen time among infants. However, there was no similar link for girls.
Scientists do not know exactly what causes autism, but it is sometimes passed on to children from their parents. Meanwhile, studies suggest it is more common in the children of older parents, as well as mothers who are overweight or suffer pregnancy complications. Around one in 50 youngsters fall on the spectrum.
Children with autism can find it hard to make eye contact, understand how others feel or have a keen interest in certain topics. Youngsters may also take longer to get their head around information, or repeat things. Recent studies have spotted a link between the duration of screen time and autistic characteristics in youngsters.
The findings, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics show that the proportion of boys with autism increased as screen time increased.
