Association between assisted reproductive technology and autism spectrum disorders in Iran: a case-control study

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by impairments in social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication.Purpose: Determine the association between use of assisted reproduction technology (ART) and the risk of ASD among children.Methods: This case-control study included 300 participants (100 cases, 200 controls). The control group included women with a child aged 2–10 years without ASD, while the cases were women with a child aged 2–10 years with ASD. We used a researcher-made questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Stata ver. 14 at the 0.05 significance level.Results: In the univariate analysis, there was significant association between child sex, delivery mode, history of preterm delivery, history of using ART, and maternal age at child’s birth and the risk of ASD. After the adjustment for other variables, this association was significant for male sex (2.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–4.31; P=0.001) and history of using ART (4.03; 95% CI, 1.76–9.21; <i>P</i>=0.001). Therefore, after the adjustment for confounder variables, there was no significant association between ART and the risk of ASD among children (4.98; 95% CI, 0.91–27.30; <i>P</i>=0.065).Conclusion: After the adjustment for other variables, risk factors for ASD were male sex and history preterm delivery. Thus, there was no significant association between ART and the risk of ASD among children.

Association between small for gestational age and risk of autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis

“…4) Evidence suggests that the risk factors for ASD are preterm birth, preeclampsia-assisted reproductive technology (ART), and neonatal jaundice. [5][6][7][8] The relationship between small for gestational age (SGA) and ASD remains conflicting. Studies examining gestational age at birth and ASD reported different findings.…”

“…These numerous abnormalities indicate that etiologically, the period of causation may theoretically be in utero or early infancy [ 4 ]. Evidence suggests that the risk factors for ASD are preterm birth, preeclampsia-assisted reproductive technology, and neonatal jaundice [ 5 - 8 ]. The relationship between small for gestational age (SGA) and ASD remains conflicting.…”

The Consequences of Assisted Reproduction Technologies on the Offspring Health Throughout Life: A Placental Contribution

“…There have been broad discussions about whether the use of ART is associated with the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the offspring. While most studies were unable to find any associations ( Sandin et al, 2013 ; Lung et al, 2018 ; Jenabi et al, 2020 ; Farhi et al, 2021b ), a few studies reported a significantly higher risk for ASD in ART offspring ( Fountain et al, 2015 ; reviewed in Liu et al, 2017 ). However, the effect was substantially reduced when adverse prenatal and perinatal outcomes and demographics were taken into account ( Fountain et al, 2015 ).…”

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Pregnancies Resulting from Assisted Reproduction: A Review of the Literature

“…One study was conducted in Finland and studied 4164 cases with autism and 16,582 matched controls born in 1991–2005 [ 30 ]. Another study was conducted in Iran, and it included 100 cases with ASD and 200 controls between 2 and 10 years of age [ 27 ].…”