title: Prenatal factors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affecting about 1% of all children is associated, in addition to complex genetic factors, with a variety of prenatal, perinatal and postnatal etiologies. We discuss the known associated prenatal factors affecting the fetus throughout pregnancy; whenever relevant, also summarize some animal data. Among the maternal diseases in pregnancy associated with ASD are pregestational and/or gestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM, GDM), maternal infections (i.e. rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV)), prolonged fever and maternal inflammation, which cause changes in a variety of inflammatory cytokines. Among the drugs are valproic acid, thalidomide, and possibly misoprostol and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Associations were described with ethanol, and possibly cocaine, heavy metals heavy smoking and Folic acid deficiency. Heavy exposure to pesticides and air pollution during pregnancy was recently associated with ASD. We need more epidemiologic data to establish many of these associations; if proven, they might be promising avenues for prevention.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Teratology, Department of Medical Neurobiology, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel. Electronic address: ornoy@cc.huji.ac.il.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ornoy
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Teratology, Department of Medical Neurobiology, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weinstein-Fudim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ergaz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators
keywords: ASD; Chemicals; Drugs; Infections; Inflammation; Prenatal factors