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A case-control study on pre-, peri-, and neonatal risk factors associated with autism spectrum disorder among
Meri Mkhitaryan1, Tamara Avetisyan2,3, Anna Mkhoyan4
1Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, Yerevan State Medical University Named After M. Heratsi, 0025, Yerevan, Armenia.
Insights
This study identified key prenatal and neonatal factors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Armenian children. Addressing modifiable risks like maternal stress and certain medication use may help reduce ASD incidence.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
- Identifying early risk factors is crucial for intervention and prevention strategies.
- Understanding modifiable risk factors can inform public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pre-, peri-, and neonatal risk factors for ASD in Armenian children.
- To identify potentially modifiable factors to reduce ASD incidence.
- To inform targeted public health strategies for ASD prevention.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-control study design.
- Inclusion of 168 children with ASD and 329 controls from Armenia.
- Multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess risk factor associations.
Main Results:
- Increased ASD odds linked to male gender, maternal weight gain, MgB6 use, pregnancy stress, pregnancy complications, and labor-inducing drugs.
- Decreased ASD odds associated with Duphaston use, longer interpregnancy interval, and birth height.
- Identified several potentially preventable or modifiable risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal and neonatal factors significantly influence ASD development in Armenian children.
- Modifiable factors present opportunities for public health interventions.
- Timely strategies targeting pregnant women are essential for reducing ASD incidence.
Abstract:
We aimed to investigate the role of pre-, peri- and neonatal risk factors in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among Armenian children with the goal of detecting and addressing modifiable risk factors to reduce ASD incidence. For this purpose a retrospective case-control study using a random proportional sample of Armenian children with ASD to assess associations between various factors and ASD was conducted. The study was approved by the local ethical committee, and parental written consent was obtained. A total of 168 children with ASD and 329 controls were included in the analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that male gender, maternal weight gain, use of MgB6, self-reported stress during the pregnancy, pregnancy with complications, as well as use of labor-inducing drugs were associated with a significant increase in the odds of ASD, whereas Duphaston use during pregnancy, the longer interpregnancy interval and birth height were associated with decreased odds of ASD. These findings are pertinent as many identified factors may be preventable or modifiable, underscoring the importance of timely and appropriate public health strategies aimed at disease prevention in pregnant women to reduce ASD incidence.
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