Study on Environmental Risk Factors of Children Autism Disorder

Objectives To explore the relationship between autism disorder (AD) and various environmental risk factors.

Methods A total of 316 children with AD and 293 controls from some special education schools and rehabilitation institutions were recruited. Demographic information, related factors of maternal prenatal and children's early-life condition, traffic air pollution during prenatal and postnatal period, parental environmental exposure history and living habits were collected. T test, chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression model were used to identify the risk factors for the occurrence of AD.

Results Univariate analysis showed that the risk of AD was positively related to mothers' prenatal depression, mothers' daily use of microwave ovens, and negatively correlated with maternal hypertension and occasional spicy food intake, OR (95%CI) values were 13.52(1.63, 111.93), 1.65(1.06, 2.58), 0.34(0.12, 0.94), 0.47(0.28, 0.78), respectively. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that factors positively associated with AD were maternal prenatal depression and the daily usage of microwave, OR (95%CI) values were 12.05(1.46, 99.48) and 1.67(1.07, 2.62), respectively. Factors negatively associated with AD were maternal gestational hypertension and occasional intake of spicy food, OR (95%CI) values were 0.29(0.10, 0.84) and 0.48(0.29, 0.82), respectively.

Conclusions Maternal prenatal depression and daily usage of microwave may be risk factors of AD.