The Etiology of Autism: Pre-, Peri- and Neonatal Factors

Overview

Journal J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

Publisher Elsevier

Specialties Pediatrics
Psychiatry

Date 1993 Nov 1

PMID 8282673

Citations 34

Authors

J Piven

J Simon

G A Chase

M Wzorek

R Landa

J Gayle

S Folstein

Affiliations

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Abstract

Objective: To examine pre-, peri-, and neonatal factors in autism using composite optimality scores.

Method: Pre-, peri-, and neonatal composite optimality scores were examined in 39 autistic subjects and 39 randomly matched sibling controls using a modification of the Gillberg Optimality Scale (Modified-GOS). Scores were based on best-estimate ratings of maternal interviews and medical records. Rules for best-estimate ratings were derived from a study of agreement between these two sources.

Results: Significant differences in optimality between autistic probands and their siblings were not present after adjustment for "maternal parity." Examination of specific variables revealed that only maternal parity differed significantly between autistic subjects and randomly matched sibling controls, reflecting an excess of first and fourth born among the autistic subjects.

Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that previous reports of an association between optimality and autism are a result of failure to adjust for birth order.

Citing Articles

Effect of Anesthesia During Pregnancy, Delivery, and Childhood on Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

He S, Zhou F, Tian G, Cui Y, Yan Y J Autism Dev Disord. 2023; 54(12):4540-4554.

PMID: 37934394 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06169-2.

Pre- and Perinatal Risk Factors for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder Versus Youth with Other Mental Health Disorders.

Varela R, Vinet E, Kamps J, Niditch L J Autism Dev Disord. 2023; 54(3):905-914.

PMID: 36622625 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05888-2.

Association of cumulative early medical factors with autism and autistic symptoms in a population-based twin sample.

Carlsson T, Rosenqvist M, Butwicka A, Larsson H, Lundstrom S, Pan P Transl Psychiatry. 2022; 12(1):73.

PMID: 35194015 PMC: 8863884. DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01833-0.

Non-parental caregivers, low maternal education, gastrointestinal problems and high blood lead level: predictors related to the severity of autism spectrum disorder in Northeast China.

Dong H, Feng J, Li H, Yue X, Jia F BMC Pediatr. 2022; 22(1):11.

PMID: 34980074 PMC: 8722278. DOI: 10.1186/s12887-021-03086-0.

Is fetal nuchal cord associated with autism spectrum disorder? A meta-analysis.

Jenabi E, Ahmadi M, Maleki A Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021; 65(3):131-135.

PMID: 34592803 PMC: 8898620. DOI: 10.3345/cep.2021.00514.