From the Research
Relationship Between Obstetric Complications and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- The relationship between obstetric complications and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been explored in several studies, with some suggesting a link between the two 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- A study published in 2021 found that children with ASD and their unaffected co-twins presented significantly more obstetric complications than controls, including maternal hypertension, uterine bleeding, and exposure to antibiotics during pregnancy 1.
- Another study from 2012 found that pregnancy complications and obstetric suboptimality factors were significantly associated with having a child with ASD, with gestational diabetes being a particular risk factor 2.
- A 2004 study found that cases of ASD had significantly older parents and were more likely to be firstborn, with case mothers experiencing more frequent threatened abortion, epidural caudal anesthesia use, labor induction, and fetal distress 3.
- A review of prenatal and perinatal risk factors for autism published in 2007 found that advanced maternal age, advanced paternal age, and maternal place of birth outside Europe or North America were associated with an increased risk of ASD, as well as birth weight and duration of gestation and intrapartum hypoxia 4.
- A 1997 study found that autistic probands had a significantly elevated optimality score (OS) compared to unaffected siblings, mainly due to an increase in mild obstetric adversities, and that the OS was best predicted by familial loading for autism and its phenotypic variants 5.
Key Findings
- Obstetric complications, such as maternal hypertension, uterine bleeding, and exposure to antibiotics during pregnancy, may be associated with an increased risk of ASD 1.
- Gestational diabetes has been identified as a particular risk factor for ASD 2.
- Advanced maternal age, advanced paternal age, and maternal place of birth outside Europe or North America may also be associated with an increased risk of ASD 4.
- The relationship between obstetric complications and ASD is complex, and may be influenced by underlying genetic factors or an interaction between genetic and environmental factors 3, 5.