Im giving up smoking. (Begrudgingly!) as I have recently found out that I am pregnant. However I have since heard a rumour that smoking and in particular nicotine can cause autism. If so should I not stop using the nicotine patches that my doctor has prescribed for me?!
Help!

The cause of autism is truly unknown. It is known to happen more in upper class families where the parents don't have much time for the chidren. However, the true mecanism of autism remains a mystery.

Nicotine is known to cause low birth weight though.