Xiao J, Gao Y, Yu Y, et al. - Researchers undertook this nationwide register-based cohort study to determine if a link exists between parental birth features, including preterm birth and low birthweight, and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. This analysis involved 230,174 mother-child and 157,926 father-child pairs in Denmark. About a 31–43% elevated risk for ASD was noted in offspring of mothers or fathers with adverse birth characteristics. Parents born very preterm (< 32 weeks) had an approximately 2-fold rise in ASD risk among their children. Overall, findings revealed an increased risk for ASD in offspring of parents born with adverse characteristics. In future inquiry on ASD etiology, consideration should be given to transmission of ASD risk via maternal and paternal factors.