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Urbanicity and autism spectrum disorders.
Marlene B Lauritsen1, Aske Astrup, Carsten Bøcker Pedersen
1Research Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, Mølleparkvej 10, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark, marlene.lauritsen@rn.dk.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|June 29, 2013
Summary
Higher urbanicity is linked to increased autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk. This association holds from birth through childhood, with migration to urban areas also increasing risk and diagnosis age.
Area of Science:
- Environmental epidemiology
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
Background:
- The causes of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) remain largely unknown, necessitating further research into risk factors.
- Geographic variations in ASD prevalence suggest environmental influences, with urban residence proposed as a proxy for etiological and identification factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the level of urbanicity and the risk of ASD at birth and during childhood.
- To explore the impact of residential changes to areas of higher urbanicity on ASD risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Danish register-based cohort of over 800,000 children.
- Included nearly 4,000 children diagnosed with ASD.
- Analyzed associations between urbanicity levels at birth, during childhood, and residential migration patterns with ASD diagnosis.
Main Results:
- A dose-response relationship was observed between increasing urbanicity and ASD risk.
- The association between urbanicity and ASD risk was consistent for residence at birth and during childhood.
- Children migrating to higher urbanicity levels post-birth showed an increased risk of ASD.
- Earlier diagnosis of ASD was noted in urban areas.
Conclusions:
- Higher levels of urbanicity are associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders.
- The findings suggest that factors related to identification, such as access to diagnostic services in urban settings, may play a significant role in observed ASD differentials.
- Post-birth migration to urban areas showed a particularly strong association with ASD diagnosis, highlighting the potential influence of environmental or service-related factors.
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