Association between history of miscarriage and autism spectrum disorder

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with multifactorial etiology.
• Previous research suggests potential links between adverse pregnancy events and ASD risk.
• Understanding specific risk factors, such as miscarriage history, is crucial for early identification and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between miscarriage history (both type and number) and the risk of ASD in offspring.
• To determine if the type of miscarriage (induced vs. spontaneous) or the sex of the fetus modifies this association.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 2274 children with ASD and 1086 healthy controls.
• Comparison of sociodemographic, prenatal, perinatal, and neonatal characteristics.
• Multivariable logistic regression and stratified analyses based on miscarriage type and fetal sex.

Main Results:

• A history of miscarriage was significantly associated with an increased risk of ASD (aOR=2.919).
• Both induced (aOR=2.763) and spontaneous miscarriages (aOR=3.341) were linked to higher ASD risk.
• Iatrogenic miscarriage and multiple spontaneous miscarriages showed a stronger association with ASD risk. A sex-biased risk was observed, with females showing a slightly higher risk (aOR=3.049) than males (aOR=2.538).

Conclusions:

• Miscarriage history is a significant risk factor for ASD in offspring.
• The type of miscarriage (iatrogenic, spontaneous) and the sex of the fetus are important factors influencing ASD risk.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms connecting miscarriage and ASD development.