Clin Exp Pediatr.  2020 Sep;63(9):368-372. 10.3345/cep.2020.00073.

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

• Jenabi E
• Seyedi M
• Hamzehei R
• Bashirian S
• Rezaei M
• Razjouyan K
• Khazaei S

• KMID: 2505719
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/cep.2020.00073

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; P=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; P=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.

Keyword

Autism spectrum disorder; Assisted reproductive technology; Case-control study