Pregnancy Spacing and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Singleton Full Siblings: A Norwegian Registry-Based Study

Speaker: Nina Gunnes, Postdoc, Department of Genes and Environment, Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Speaker

Nina Gunnes, Postdoc, Department of Genes and Environment, Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Abstract

Autism is a complex nevropsychological developmental disorder that influences gestures, speech, and social interaction with others. Due to a number of different phenotypes, the collective term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is generally applied.

Previous studies have established associations between autism and several complications during pregnancy and delivery. A recent cohort study of Californian singleton full-sibling births in the period 1992--2002 found that closely spaced pregnancies are significantly associated with increased odds of autism in the second-born child (Cheslack-Postava, 2011).

The aim of the present study is to assess the association between pregnancy spacing and the risk of ASD using nationwide registry data on pairs of singleton full siblings born in Norway. Data are analyzed using binary logistic regression, adjusting for confounding variables. Potential sex differences are examined through stratified data analyses.

Published Oct. 17, 2011 2:55 PM - Last modified Nov. 10, 2011 12:59 PM