Prenatal and Perinatal Factors Related to Autism, IQ, and Adaptive Functioning

This study focused on prenatal and perinatal factors related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The authors hypothesized that mothers who exposed their infants to intrauterine toxicity or who had complications with labor or delivery would be more likely to give birth to individuals with lower IQ scores, higher scores on a measure of ASD, and lower scores on a measure of adaptive functioning. This clinical sample consisted of 33 children who presented for neuropsychological assessment with symptoms of ASD. Results indicated that individuals with a history of intrauterine toxicity had lower IQ scores than individuals who did not have a history of intrauterine toxicity. However, no significant effects were found for intrauterine toxicity and ASD or adaptive functioning. Results indicated that individuals with a history of complications during labor and delivery had lower IQ scores, higher scores on a measure of ASD, and lower scores on a measure of adaptive functioning. Findings may lend support to the oxidative stress theory of ASD.