Background: Autism is one of the most prevalent
neurodevelopmental disorders among children with unknown cause.
Aim: This study has been conducted to determine the possible
perinatal and neonatal risk factors of autism.
Method: The present study is a case control study, 50 children with
autismall of them fulfilling the criteria of the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–IV-TR) recruited from
the Psychiatric Clinic, Institute of Postgraduate Childhood Studies,
Ain Shams University and 50 apparently healthy children of
matchingage& sex recruited from different outpatient clinics as
control group.
Detailed history to all children including all the suspected risk factors
through well-designed questionnaire and general examination with
laying stress on neurological examination were done to all children
enrolled in the study. Assessment of severity of autistic symptoms was
done to cases.
Results:
High paternal and maternal age≥ 35 years at child birth, breech and
other abnormal presentation, caesarean delivery, Preterm baby< 37
weeks of gestation, low birth weight < 2500 gm., 1st baby in the
family and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were identified as significant
risk factors of autism.
Conclusion:
Our findings support several perinatal, neonatal and paternal risk
factors of autism. However, some have been associated with autism in
several studies and should be considered as potential risk factors that
provide small contributions to the etiology or causal pathway of
autism.