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Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders

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Original Research March 28, 2023

A Community-Based Study of Antenatal and Neonatal Risk Factors in Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2023;25(2):22m03339

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess children in the community for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated risk factors.

Methods: In this 2-stage, cross-sectional study, children between 1.5 and 10 years of age were screened using the Chandigarh Autism Screening Instrument. Those with a score above the cutoff of 10 were assessed in detail using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale and the Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised, and a detailed pediatric assessment was conducted. Risk factors were evaluated, and karyotype and fragile X genetic testing was done for those diagnosed with ASD. The study was conducted from July 2014 to December 2017.

Results: Compared to the control group, mothers of ASD children had more pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and bleeding per vaginum (BPV) during the antenatal period. In the multivariate analysis, there was 6.3 times higher odds of having history of PIH (P = .02) and 7.7 times higher odds of BPV (P = .011) among children with ASD. There were much higher odds of having birth asphyxia (OR = 12.6), cardiorespiratory problems (OR = 10), metabolic abnormalities (hypoglycemia/ hypocalcemia) (OR = 12), and neonatal sepsis (OR = 16) in the ASD group compared to controls.

Conclusions: ASD patients experienced more antenatal and neonatal problems compared to controls.

Trial Registration: Clinical Trials Registry–India (CTRI/2017/02/007935)

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