Can autism be detected during prenatal checkups?

Autism cannot be detected through prenatal examinations. A definitive diagnosis of autism requires postnatal observation and evaluation; current prenatal testing methods are unable to directly identify whether a fetus has autism. The exact cause of autism is still unknown, potentially involving genetic, environmental, and multiple other factors, with complex underlying pathogenic mechanisms and clinical manifestations. Prenatal examinations mainly assess the physical development of the fetus, such as detecting physical malformations or chromosomal abnormalities, which cannot directly predict or diagnose autism. Therefore, families with a history of autism should increase the frequency of pediatric checkups and closely monitor the child's nutritional development, intellectual growth, cognitive abilities, and social interaction skills, in order to detect any abnormalities early and provide timely intervention and treatment.