by KYW’s Paul Kurtz

Drexel University has been awarded a $14 million federal grant to research risk factors for autism in expectant mothers and their babies.

The University's School of Public Health will use the grant money to set up a nationwide network of research sites and follow a number of expectant mothers. Craig Newschaffer is Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics:

“We’re going to be asking moms to provide us with information on a wide variety of potential exposures during pregnancy and also to come in for some study exams and to donate some biological samples. We're also interested in gaining some samples at delivery and then of course we want to follow those babies very closely until they're 3 years of age. “

Newshcaffer also wants to examine possible environmental and genetic risk factors, but he believes that autism begins during fetal development.