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Review
. 2016 Mar 21;2(2):FSO114.
doi: 10.4155/fsoa-2015-0001. eCollection 2016 Jun.

Fetal origins of autism spectrum disorders: the non-associated maternal factors

Hind N Moussa  1 , Anand Srikrishnan  1 , Sean C Blackwell  1 , Pramod Dash  2 , Baha M Sibai  1
Affiliations
Review

Fetal origins of autism spectrum disorders: the non-associated maternal factors

Hind N Moussa et al. Future Sci OA. .

Abstract

Aim: Several population-based studies have been conducted to determine whether maternal exposures are involved in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We review these studies and describe the factors not associated with increased risk for ASD development.

Methods: We identified studies describing associations between maternal exposures and ASD development. These studies include the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment, Nurses' Health Study II, and the Swedish population registry.

Results: Factors not associated with ASD development include Type 2 and gestational diabetes, chronic hypertension, fever treated with antipyretic medication, autoimmune disease and short interpregnancy intervals.

Conclusion: There is increasing evidence that maternal exposures are involved in the pathophysiology of ASD in the developing fetus.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; fetal origins; nonassociated maternal factors; population studies.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial & competing interests disclosure The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

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