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Perinatal and background risk factors for childhood autism in central China

Guiqin Duan1, Meiling Yao1, Yating Ma2

  • 1Center of Children Psychology and Behavior, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China.

Psychiatry Research
|August 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Identifying autism risk factors in China, this study found maternal age, parental introversion, and birth complications like asphyxia are key predictors for early intervention in high-risk families.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Pediatric psychology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with increasing prevalence worldwide.
  • Identifying perinatal and background risk factors is crucial for developing targeted prevention and intervention strategies.
  • Previous research has explored various risk factors, but regional variations and specific combinations require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify perinatal and background risk factors associated with autism in a Chinese cohort.
  • To inform preventative and treatment strategies for families at high risk of autism.
  • To establish correlations between identified risk factors and autism symptom severity.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 286 autistic children and 286 healthy controls in Zhengzhou, China (2011-2013).
  • Autism screening using the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) and diagnosis based on DSM-IV and Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).
  • Collection of perinatal histories, clinical data, and parental personality/mental health information; statistical analysis using Kendall rank correlation and multivariate logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • Significant associations found between autism and maternal age >30, parental introversion, low parental education, smoking, abortion threat, pregnancy complications, maternal illness, maternal mental health issues, family history of mental illness, neonatal jaundice, birth asphyxia, premature rupture of fetal membranes, and gestational age <37 weeks.
  • Kendall rank correlation indicated significant correlations between these factors and ABC scores.
  • Multivariate logistic regression identified birth asphyxia, neonatal jaundice, maternal age, parental introversion, family history of mental illness, abortion threat, premature delivery, and smoking as independent risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Several perinatal and background factors are significantly associated with autism in the Zhengzhou population.
  • Maternal age, parental introversion, birth asphyxia, neonatal jaundice, and smoking are key independent risk factors for autism.
  • These findings can guide the development of targeted screening, prevention, and intervention programs for high-risk families in China.

Keywords:
Central ChinaChildhood autismPerinatal risk factors

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