Effects of season of birth on autism spectrum disorders: fact or fiction?
OBJECTIVE
This study attempted to examine the relationship between month and season of birth and risk for autism spectrum disorders.


METHODS
The cohort included all Jewish individuals born in Israel over 5 consecutive years (N=311,169) and assessed by the Israeli Draft Board as part of the mandatory assessment of eligibility for military service conducted at age 17. The outcome of autism spectrum disorders was ascertained from the Draft Board Medical Registry, which contains information about medical and psychiatric disorders for this population of adolescents.


RESULTS
There was no association between month or season of birth and the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings from this historical, population-based cohort study do not support an association between season of birth and autistic spectrum disorders.
Kolevzon
Alexander
A
Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Weiser
Mark
M
Gross
Raz
R
Lubin
Gad
G
Knobler
Haim Y
HY
Schmeidler
James
J
Silverman
Jeremy M
JM
Reichenberg
Abraham
A
D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001723:Birth Rate; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons