Maternal Metabolic Conditions and Risk for Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders - obesity

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Maternal Metabolic Conditions and Risk for Autism and Other

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

* a Krakowiak,

* Cheryl K. ,

* A. Bremer,

* Alice S. Baker,

* Sally Ozonoff,

* Robin L. Hansen,

* Irva Hertz-Picciotto

Pediatrics peds.2011-2583; published ahead of print April 9, 2012,

doi:10.1542/peds.2011-2583

* Abstract

<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/04/04/peds.2011-2583.a\

bstract?sid=857c12f8-cd6d-4898-a87f-610dcf50996e>

* Full Text (PDF)

<http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/04/04/peds.2011-2583.f\

ull.pdf+html?sid=857c12f8-cd6d-4898-a87f-610dcf50996e>

OBJECTIVE: We examined whether metabolic conditions (MCs) during

pregnancy (diabetes, hypertension, and obesity) are associated with

autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays (DD), or

impairments in specific domains of development in the offspring.

METHODS: Children aged 2 to 5 years (517 ASD, 172 DD, and 315 controls)

were enrolled in the CHARGE (Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and

the Environment) study, a population-based, case-control investigation

between January 2003 and June 2010. Eligible children were born in

California, had parents who spoke English or Spanish, and were living

with a biological parent in selected regions of California. Children's

diagnoses were confirmed by using standardized assessments. Information

regarding maternal conditions was ascertained from medical records or

structured interview with the mother.

RESULTS: All MCs were more prevalent among case mothers compared with

controls. Collectively, these conditions were associated with a higher

likelihood of ASD and DD relative to controls (odds ratio: 1.61 [95%

confidence interval: 1.10--2.37; odds ratio: 2.35 [95% confidence

interval: 1.43--3.88], respectively). Among ASD cases, children of women

with diabetes had Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) expressive

language scores 0.4 SD lower than children of mothers without MCs (P <

..01). Among children without ASD, those exposed to any MC scored lower

on all MSEL and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) subscales and

composites by at least 0.4 SD (P < .01 for each subscale/composite).

CONCLUSIONS: Maternal MCs may be broadly associated with

neurodevelopmental problems in children. With obesity rising steadily,

these results appear to raise serious public health concerns.