Sociodemographic risk factors associated with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability

Abstract

This study examined the hypotheses that (1) sociodemographic risk factors in young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and/or intellectual disability (ID) significantly vary by disability type, and (2) measures of income (mean adjusted gross income, mean federal taxes paid, and mean tax exemptions) significantly increase between 1994 and 2002, and are lower in families with a child with ASD and/or ID compared with the general population. A multiple source surveillance system utilizing a retrospective record review was used to identify ASD and ID cases from a population of 26,108 eight-year-old children born in 1994 and living in Utah in 2002. ASD without ID (ASD-only, n = 99) cases were significantly more likely to be male (P<0.01) and have mothers of White non-Hispanic ethnicity (P = 0.02). ASD with ID (ASD/ID, n = 33) cases were significantly more likely to be male (P<0.01) and have mothers older than 34 years (P = 0.03). ID without ASD (ID-only, n = 113) cases were significantly more likely to have fathers older than 34 years (P<0.01) and were significantly less likely to have mothers with >13 years education (P<0.01). Measures of income for cases at birth and at 8 years of age were not significantly lower than the general population and mean adjusted income of cases significantly increased from birth to 8 years of age. Investigations focused on defining early sociodemographic risk factors by different endophenotypes of ASD may assist in identifying risk factors for this complex group of neurodevelopmental disorders. Aggregate tax information may be a unique resource to utilize for population-based analysis.

Environmental factors associated with autism spectrum disorder: a scoping review for the years 2003–2013

“…Most studies that examined the relationship between maternal ethnicity and ASD found a significant association, 102,119,172,242,243,246 with the exception of one study in the United Kingdom. 247 In particular, maternal minority ethnic status, such as Aboriginal status, was associated with reduced ASD diagnosis in offspring 102,119,172,243 with an OR ranging from 0.33 to 0.83 for certain non-White ethnic groups compared to White, non-Hispanic people.…”

“…247 In particular, maternal minority ethnic status, such as Aboriginal status, was associated with reduced ASD diagnosis in offspring 102,119,172,243 with an OR ranging from 0.33 to 0.83 for certain non-White ethnic groups compared to White, non-Hispanic people. Furthermore, children who were Black, Hispanic or Folic acid 2 1…”

“…113 Since the latest systematic review, 13 four studies have found a significant association with ASD or autism, [115][116][117][118] whereas one did not. 119 De novo mutations and genomic copy number variations burden have been implicated as possible underlying mechanisms, because they increase with paternal age. 120,121 No association has been found between men with autistic-like traits and delayed parenting.…”

“…The importance of SES emerged as a predictor of ASD risk in nine studies, 102,119,172,[240][241][242][243][244][245] but findings were mixed. Mainly in American studies, a higher SES, using proxies such as maternal income, occupation and education, was associated with ASD.…”

“…However, other studies had different results. 102,119,243,244 In countries with universal health care programs, such as Sweden and Canada, lower family or maternal income was associated with ASD, which suggests that the associations between high SES and ASD found mainly in the US studies may reflect inequalities in access to health care services (e.g. under-diagnosis of ASD in families with lower SES).…”