title: Maternal hormonal interventions as a risk factor for Autism Spectrum Disorder: an epidemiological assessment from India.
abstract: Globalization and women empowerment have led to stressful life among Indian women. This stress impairs women's hormonal makeup and menstrual cycle, leading to infertility. National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS-3) reports a decline in fertility status in India, indicating a rise in various infertility treatments involving hormonal interventions. No studies are available from India on the risk association link between maternal hormonal treatments and ASD. Hence, this study explores the association of maternal hormonal interventions with risk for ASD. Parents of 942 children (471 ASD and 471 controls) across 9 cities in India participated in the questionnaire-based study. The questionnaire was pilot tested and validated for its content and reliability as a psychometric instrument. Data collection was done at 70 centres through direct interaction with parents and with the help of trained staff. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using SAS 9.1.3. Out of the 471 ASD cases analysed, 58 mothers had undergone hormonal interventions (12.3 percent) while there were only 22 mothers among controls who underwent hormonal interventions (4.6 percent). According to logistic regression analysis maternal hormonal intervention (OR=2.24) was a significant risk factor for ASD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani-Hyderabad Campus, Jawaharnagar, Shamirpet (M), Hyderabad 500 078, India.
authors.forename: Madhu Poornima
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mamidala
authors.forename: Anupama
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polinedi
authors.forename: P T V Praveen
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rajesh
authors.forename: Omsai Ramesh
authors.initials: OR
authors.lastname: Vallamkonda
authors.forename: Vrajesh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Udani
authors.forename: Nidhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singhal
authors.forename: Vidya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rajesh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011374:Progesterone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D006062:Gonadotropins; D002996:Clomiphene; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone