title: Is maternal influenza or fever during pregnancy associated with autism or developmental delays? Results from the CHARGE (CHildhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment) study.
abstract: We analyzed data from case groups of 538 children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and 163 with developmental delays (DD), and from 421 typically developing controls to assess associations with maternal influenza or fever during pregnancy. Exposure information was obtained by telephone interviews, and outcomes were clinically confirmed. Though neither ASD nor DD was associated with influenza, both were associated with maternal fever during pregnancy: OR's (odds ratios) were 2.12 (95 % CI 1.17, 3.84) and 2.50 (95 % CI 1.20, 5.20) respectively. However, the fever-associated ASD risk was attenuated among mothers who reported taking antipyretic medications (OR = 1.30, 95 % CI 0.59, 2.84), but remained elevated for those who did not (OR = 2.55, 95 % CI 1.30, 4.99).
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, MS1C, University of California-Davis, CA 95616, USA. ozerbo@ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Ousseny
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zerbo
authors.forename: Ana-Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Iosif
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozonoff
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Irva
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hertz-Picciotto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058633:Antipyretics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000209:etiology*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000523:psychology*; D012306:Risk; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D058633:Antipyretics