Male hormone in womb linked to autistic characteristics : study

Researchers from Cambridge University recorded foetal testosterone levels in the amniotic fluid of 235 pregnant women.

They compared results against questionnaires designed to measure children's autistic traits between the ages of six and 10.

They found that high testosterone levels were linked to answers that reflected poor social skills, imagination and empathy -- but good attention to and memory for detail.

Professor Simon Baron-Cohen said the research went further than previous studies that had found links between foetal testosterone and less eye contact as a baby, slower language development and more difficulties with empathy.

"The study highlights for the first time the association between foetal testosterone and autistic traits, and indicates that foetal testosterone not only masculinises the body, it masculinises the mind," he said.

But he underlined that the study was not confirming a link between foetal testosterone levels and full-blown autism.

"We all have some autistic traits -- these are a spectrum or a dimension of individual differences, like height.

"It is important to note that this research does not demonstrate that elevated foetal testosterone is associated with a clinical diagnosis of autism or Asperger Syndrome," he added.

The Guardian newspaper said that the research, published in The British Journal of Psychology, could bring prenatal screening for autism closer to reality, potentially allowing women to terminate babies with the condition.