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Maternal Smoking and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis

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Abstract

We conducted a meta-analysis of 15 studies on maternal prenatal smoking and ASD risk in offspring. Using a random-effects model, we found no evidence of an association (summary OR 1.02, 95 % CI 0.93–1.12). Stratifying by study design, birth year, type of healthcare system, and adjustment for socioeconomic status or psychiatric history did not alter the findings. There was evidence that ascertaining exposure at the time of birth produced a lower summary OR than when this information was gathered after birth. There was no evidence of publication bias. Non-differential exposure misclassification was shown to have the potential for negligible influence on the results. We found no evidence to support a measurable association between maternal prenatal smoking and ASD in offspring.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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The manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Nesbitt Hall, Room 614, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Brittany N. Rosen & Igor Burstyn

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Brian K. Lee, Nora L. Lee, Yunwen Yang & Igor Burstyn

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  1. Brittany N. Rosen
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Correspondence to Igor Burstyn.

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Rosen, B.N., Lee, B.K., Lee, N.L. et al. Maternal Smoking and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 1689–1698 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2327-z

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