Fertility Issues May Be Linked to Autism
In a nationwide US cohort, parental subfecundity was associated with higher odds of autism spectrum disorder and modest increases in behavioral symptoms, while in vitro fertilization showed no statistically significant associations with neurodevelopmental outcomes.
By
Andrea Surnit
June 19, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Fertility Issues May Be Linked to Autism
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Key Mechanisms Parental subfecundity and infertility treatments Target Population Children aged 2 to 10 years born to parents with a history of subfecundity Care Setting Observational study of mother-child dyads
Key Highlights
Children of parents with subfecundity had 1.27 times the odds of ASD compared to those without subfecundity. Non-IVF infertility treatments were associated with higher odds of ADHD. Gestational age at birth contributed to associations between subfecundity and certain behavioral outcomes. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Assess neurodevelopmental outcomes using caregiver-reported measures. Management
Consider parental subfecundity as a factor in assessing child behavioral outcomes. Monitoring & Follow-up
Monitor children born to parents with a history of subfecundity for behavioral difficulties. Risks
Higher externalizing behavior scores and increased odds of ASD and ADHD in children of parents with subfecundity. Patient & Prescribing Data
Parents with a history of infertility or subfecundity
Non-IVF infertility treatments may be linked to higher ADHD rates.
Clinical Best Practices
Evaluate the impact of parental fertility issues on child development. Utilize comprehensive assessments for children with a parental history of subfecundity. Related Resources & Content
