[The Autism Spectrum Disorder Cohort-the sub-cohort of China National Birth Cohort]

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Pediatric Health
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) poses significant societal and familial burdens.
• Understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of ASD is crucial for early intervention.
• Existing research on ASD risk factors, particularly concerning assisted reproductive technologies (ART), requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare ASD incidence between children conceived via ART and spontaneous conception.
• To evaluate the impact of ART on offspring neurobehavioral development.
• To comprehensively investigate ASD risk factors using extensive clinical and behavioral data.

Main Methods:

• Established an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Cohort nested within the China National Birth Cohort (CNBC).
• Employed a parallel design to recruit and follow families with ART pregnancies and spontaneous pregnancies.
• Collected diverse clinical and behavioral data during pregnancy and early childhood.

Main Results:

• Preliminary progress and cohort design are detailed.
• The study is designed to identify potential associations between ART and ASD.
• Comprehensive data collection facilitates in-depth analysis of ASD risk factors.

Conclusions:

• The ASD cohort study provides a robust platform for investigating ART's role in neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Further research will elucidate the complex interplay of factors contributing to ASD.
• Findings aim to inform strategies for prevention and management of ASD.