Larry Burd, Robin Severud, Jacob Kerbeshian, Marilyn G. Klug
Prenatal and perinatal risk factors for autism
Aim: To identify pre- and perinatal risk factors for autism.
Method: Case control study. We matched names of patients
from North Dakota who met DSM criteria for autism,
a pervasive developmental disorder, and autisticdisorder with their birth certificates. Five matched controls
were selected for each case.
Results: Univariate analysis of the 78 cases and 390
controls identified seven risk factors. Logistic modeling
to control for confounding produced a five variable
model. The model parameters were ?2 = 36.6 and
p <0.001. The five variables in the model were decreased
birth weight, low maternal education, later start
of prenatal care, and having a previous termination of
pregnancy. Increasing father's age was associated with
increased risk of autism.
Conclusion: This methodology may provide an inexpensive
method for clinics and public health providers
to identify risk factors and to identify maternal characteristics
of patients with mental illness and developmental
disorders.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 27, 12/1999
Pages: 441 - 450
Show full article (external site)
Show all available items of this journal
Search
