title: CDC Kerala 13: Antenatal, natal and postnatal factors among children (2-6 y) with autism--a case control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare antenatal, natal and postnatal factors among children between 2-6 y of age with autism and a control group of normal children.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and forty three confirmed cases of 2-6 y-old children with autism, attending autism clinic of Child Development Centre, who had a CARS score of ≥ 30 were included in the study. Two hundred normal children in the same age group were recruited from the well-baby/immunization clinic of SAT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. Data was collected using a structured pre-piloted questionnaire consisting of 21 antenatal, 8 natal and 6 postnatal risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The multivariate analysis on antenatal, natal and postnatal possible risk factors for autism showed statistically significant high odds ratios for (i) excess fetal movement (OR = 11.44; 95% CI: 2.85-45.98); (ii) maternal respiratory infection/asthma (OR = 6.11; 95% CI: 1.56-24.02; (iii) maternal vaginal infection (OR = 5.20; 95% CI: 1.72-15.73); (iv) maternal hypothyroidism (OR = 4.25; 95% CI: 1.38-13.07) and (v) family history of neuro-developmental disorders (OR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.72-4.88).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case control study involving 143 children between 2 and 6 y with autism as per CARS criteria and a control group of 200 normal children has shown that excess fetal movement, maternal respiratory infection/asthma, maternal vaginal infection, maternal hypothyroidism and family history of neuro-developmental disorders are possible risk factors for autism.
authors.affiliation: Child Development Centre, Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, 695011, Kerala, India, babugeo@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Babu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: M S Razeena
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Padmam
authors.forename: M K C
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Leena
authors.forename: Paul Swamidhas Sudhakar
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005324:Fetal Movement; D006801:Humans; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D012307:Risk Factors