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Perinatal Factors Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Jamaican Children

Sepideh Saroukhani1,2, Maureen Samms-Vaughan3, MinJae Lee2,4

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|September 21, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Cesarean delivery may be linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Jamaica, particularly in Kingston parish. Low birth weight showed an interaction with socioeconomic status, but direct links to ASD were not significant.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Perinatal Epidemiology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
  • Potential links between perinatal factors like mode of delivery, preterm birth, and low birth weight (LBW) and ASD risk are under investigation.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for early identification and intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between mode of delivery, preterm birth, LBW, and ASD in a Jamaican cohort.
  • To explore potential modifying effects of geographic location (parish of residence) and socioeconomic status on these associations.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted using data from 343 children diagnosed with ASD (ages 2-8 years) and matched typically developing controls in Jamaica.
  • Statistical analyses, including matched odds ratios (MOR) and confidence intervals (CI), were employed to assess the relationships.
  • Interaction analyses were performed to evaluate the modifying effects of parish of residence and household socioeconomic status.

Main Results:

  • A significant association between cesarean delivery and ASD was observed, with the effect modified by the parish of residence. Kingston parish showed a higher association (MOR: 2.30) compared to other parishes (MOR: 0.87).
  • No significant direct associations were found between low birth weight (LBW) or preterm birth and ASD.
  • A significant interaction between LBW and household socioeconomic status was identified, suggesting a complex interplay of factors.

Conclusions:

  • The mode of delivery, specifically cesarean section, may be associated with ASD risk in a geographically specific manner within Jamaica.
  • While LBW and preterm birth were not directly linked to ASD in this study, their interaction with socioeconomic status warrants further investigation.
  • These findings highlight the need for replication in larger and diverse populations to confirm the observed associations and interactions.

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderCesarean deliveryJamaicaLow birth weightPreterm birth

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