Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Perinatal and Neonatal Complications in Autism Etiology

  • Reference work entry
Comprehensive Guide to Autism

Abstract

A vast and continually growing literature has examined peri- and neonatal factors in association with autism. Factors acting during this time period have particular relevance to autism due to potential influence on brain development. This chapter focuses on perinatal and neonatal complications, as well as maternal substance use, in association with autism. The perinatal complications with strongest evidence for an association with autism include general obstetric suboptimality, gestational diabetes, maternal medication use during pregnancy, bleeding during pregnancy, and multiple births. The neonatal complications with strongest evidence for an association with autism include, again, general occurrence of a range of complications, congenital malformations, low Apgar scores, and markers of hypoxia such as respiratory distress. The nature of associations with these complications has not been fully explained; while certain individual factors may increase risk of autism, associations may also be due to shared genetic risk or correlations between the factors. Future research studies are needed to clarify how these and other factors acting during the perinatal time period influence the development of autism.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 1,199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 1,299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Amaral DG, Schumann CM, Nordahl CW. Neuroanatomy of autism. Trends Neurosci. 2008;31(3):137–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bilder D, Pinborough-Zimmerman J, Miller J, et al. Prenatal, perinatal, and neonatal factors associated with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2009;123(5):1293–300.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bolton PF, Murphy M, MacDonald H, Whitlock B, Pickles A, Rutter M. Obstetric complications in autism: consequences or causes of the condition? J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1997;36(2):272–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brimacombe M, Ming X, Lamendola M. Prenatal and birth complications in autism. Matern Child Health. 2007;J11(1):73–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buchmayer S, Johansson S, Johansson A, et al. Can association between preterm birth and autism be explained by maternal or neonatal morbidity? Pediatrics. 2009;124(5):817–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chess S. Autism in children with congenital rubella. J Autism Child Schizophr. 1971;1(1):33–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chess S, Fernandez P, Korn S. Behavioral consequences of congenital rubella. J Pediatr. 1978;93(4):699–703.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Croen LA, Grether JK, Selvin S. Descriptive epidemiology of autism in a California population: who is at risk? J Autism Dev Disord. 2002;32(3):217–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Croen LA, Yoshida CK, Odouli R, et al. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and risk of autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2005;115(2):e135–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Croen LA, Grether JK, Yoshida CK, et al. Antidepressant use during pregnancy and childhood autism spectrum disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68(11):1104–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Daniels JL, Forssen U, Hultman CM, et al. Parental psychiatric disorders associated with autism spectrum disorders in the offspring. Pediatrics. 2008;121(5):1357–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson S, Glasson EJ, Dixon G, et al. Birth defects in children with autism spectrum disorders: a population-based, nested case–control study. Am J Epidemiol. 2009;169(11):1296–303.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dodds L, Fell DB, Shea S, et al. The role of prenatal, obstetric and neonatal factors in the development of autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2011;41(7):891–902.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eidelman AI, Samueloff A. The pathophysiology of the fetus of the diabetic mother. Semin Perinatol. 2002;26(3):232–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eliasen M, Tolstrup JS, Nybo Andersen AM, et al. Prenatal alcohol exposure and autistic spectrum disorders – a population-based prospective study of 80,552 children and their mothers. Int J Epidemiol. 2010;39(4):1074–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Finegan JA, Quarrington B. Pre-, peri-, and neonatal factors and infantile autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1979;20(2):119–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fombonne E. Epidemiology of pervasive developmental disorders. Pediatr Res. 2009;65(6):591–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gardener H, Spiegelman D, Buka SL. Prenatal risk factors for autism: comprehensive meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry. 2009;195(1):7–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gardener H, Spiegelman D, Buka SL. Perinatal and neonatal risk factors for autism: a comprehensive meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2011;128(2):344–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gillberg C, Gillberg IC. Infantile autism: a total population study of reduced optimality in the pre-, peri-, and neonatal period. J Autism Dev Disord. 1983;13(2):153–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grether JK, Li SX, Yoshida CK, et al. Antenatal ultrasound and risk of autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2010;40(2):238–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guinchat V, Thorsen P, Laurent C, et al. Pre-, peri- and neonatal risk factors for autism. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2012;91(3):287–300.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harris SR, MacKay LL, Osborn JA. Autistic behaviors in offspring of mothers abusing alcohol and other drugs: a series of case reports. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1995;19(3):660–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hultman CM, Sparen P, Cnattingius S. Perinatal risk factors for infantile autism. Epidemiology. 2002;13(4):417–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson JL, Jacobson SW. Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on child development. Alcohol Res Health. 2002;26(4):282–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Juul-Dam N, Townsend J, Courchesne E. Prenatal, perinatal, and neonatal factors in autism, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified, and the general population. Pediatrics. 2001;107(4):E63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kalkbrenner AE, Braun JM, Durkin MS, et al. Maternal smoking during pregnancy and the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders, using data from the autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network. Environ Health Perspect. 2012;120(7):1042–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krakowiak P, Walker CK, Bremer AA, et al. Maternal metabolic conditions and risk for autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Pediatrics. 2012;129(5):1121–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larsson HJ, Eaton WW, Madsen KM, Vestergaard M, Olesen AV, Agerbo E, et al. Risk factors for autism: perinatal factors, parental psychiatric history, and socioeconomic status. Am J Epidemiol. 2005;161(10):916–25; discussion 916–18.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee BK, Gardner RM, Dal H, et al. Brief report: maternal smoking during pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2012;42(9):2000–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lord C, Mulloy C, Wendelboe M, et al. Pre- and perinatal factors in high-functioning females and males with autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 1991;21(2):197–209.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lotter V. Epidemiology of autistic conditions in young children: some characteristics of the parents and children. Soc Psychiatry. 1966;1:124–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyall K, Pauls DL, Santangelo SL, et al. Maternal early life factors associated with hormone levels and the risk of having a child with an autism spectrum disorder in the nurses’ health study II. J Autism Dev Disord. 2011;41(5):618–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lyall K, Pauls DL, Spiegelman D, Ascherio A, Santangelo SL. Pregnancy complications and obstetric suboptimality in association with autism spectrum disorders in children of the Nurses’ Health Study II. Autism Res. 2012;5(1):21–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maimburg RD, Vaeth M. Perinatal risk factors and infantile autism. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2006;114(4):257–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maimburg RD, Vaeth M, Schendel DE, et al. Neonatal jaundice: a risk factor for infantile autism? Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2008;22(6):562–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mann JR, McDermott S, Bao H, et al. Pre-eclampsia, birth weight, and autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2010;40(5):548–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miles JH, Takahashi TN, Haber A, et al. Autism families with a high incidence of alcoholism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2003;33(4):403–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moore SJ, Turnpenny P, Quinn A, et al. A clinical study of 57 children with fetal anticonvulsant syndromes. J Med Genet. 2000;37(7):489–97.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Piven J, Simon J, Chase GA, et al. The etiology of autism: pre-, peri- and neonatal factors. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1993;32(6):1256–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Previc FH. Prenatal influences on brain dopamine and their relevance to the rising incidence of autism. Med Hypotheses. 2007;68(1):46–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Qazi G. Obstetric and perinatal outcome of multiple pregnancy. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2011;21(3):142–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rasalam AD, Hailey H, Williams JH, et al. Characteristics of fetal anticonvulsant syndrome associated autistic disorder. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2005;47(8):551–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stromland K, Nordin V, Miller M, Akerstrom B, Gillberg C. Autism in thalidomide embryopathy: a population study. Dev Med Child Neurol. 1994;36:351–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai LY, Stewart MA. Etiological implication of maternal age and birth order in infantile autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 1983;13(1):57–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace A, Anderson G, Dubrow R. Obstetric and parental psychiatric variables as potential predictors of autism severity. J Autism Dev Disord. 2008;38(8):1542–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkerson D, Volpe AG, Dean RS, Titus JB. Perinatal complications as predictors of infantile autism. Int J Neurosci. 2002;112(9):1085–98.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams GM, O’Callaghan M, Najman JM, et al. Maternal cigarette smoking and child psychiatric morbidity: a longitudinal study. Pediatr. 1998;102(1):e11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Lv CC, Tian J, et al. Prenatal and perinatal risk factors for autism in China. J Autism Dev Disord. 2010;40(11):1311–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zwaigenbaum L, Szatmari P, Jones MB, Bryson SE, MacLean JE, Mahoney WJ, et al. Pregnancy and birth complications in autism and liability to the broader autism phenotype. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2002;41(5):572–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Hannah Gardener

  2. University of California Davis, 1616 Da Vinci Court, Davis, CA, 95618, USA

    Kristen Lyall

Authors
  1. Hannah Gardener
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kristen Lyall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hannah Gardener .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, Faculty of Science & Technology, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

  2. Nutritional Sciences Division and Genomics Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. Faculty of Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this entry

Cite this entry

Gardener, H., Lyall, K. (2014). Perinatal and Neonatal Complications in Autism Etiology. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V., Martin, C. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Autism. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_76

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_76

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-4787-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-4788-7

  • eBook Packages: Behavioral Science

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation