Perinatal and Obstetric Predictors for Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 51; no. 11; pp. 3908 - 3916
• Main Authors: Perales-Marín, Alfredo, Peraita-Costa, Isabel, Cervera-Boada, Pablo, Tellez de Meneses, Montserrat, Llopis-González, Agustín, Marí-Bauset, Salvador, Morales-Suárez-Varela, María
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.11.2021; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analysis; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Birth; Case Studies; Cesarean section; Child and School Psychology; Children; Classroom Desegregation; Clinical Diagnosis; Departments; Diagnosis; Early Intervention; Environmental Influences; Gender; Hospitals; Identification; Males; Medical diagnosis; Men; Mental Disorders; Neurosciences; Obstetrics; Original Paper; Parent Participation; Pediatrics; Perinatal factors; Perinatal Influences; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Population studies; Predictor Variables; Prenatal diagnosis; Psychology; Public Health; Risk factors; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); World Problems; Spain; Perinatal; Autism spectrum disorder; Risk factors; Cesarean section; Prediction
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04846-0

The objective is to identify obstetric and perinatal factors that could be significant predictors of ASD and may lead to early detection and intervention. A population-based case–control study including 128 children diagnosed with ASD and 311 controls was conducted. Information was collected through self-reported questionnaires. The factors retained as significant predictors for ASD in the final adjusted hierarchical logistic regression model were cesarean section and male gender. The study revealed a higher incidence of cesarean sections and male gender in children with ASD in comparison to unaffected children confirming the results of previous studies. Children born by cesarean section, especially males, should be more closely monitored for the presence of ASD traits for early diagnosis and intervention.