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Maternal Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring: A Meta-analysis

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Abstract

This study assessed the relationships between maternal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in offspring. Seven observational studies, including 25,005 ASD cases and 4,543,321 participants, were included for meta-analysis. Pooled results by using random-effects models suggested that maternal RA was associated with an increased risk for ASDs [odds ratio (OR) 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–1.67], while maternal SLE was associated with an increased risk for ASDs only in western population (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.02–3.57). Further study is warranted to confirm these results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mental Health Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road 238#, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430060, People’s Republic of China

    Zhixian Zhu, Shiming Tang & Ying Wang

  2. Jingzhou Mental Health Center, Taqiao Road 47#, Shashi District, Jingzhou, 434023, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaopeng Deng

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  1. Zhixian Zhu
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  2. Shiming Tang
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  3. Xiaopeng Deng
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  4. Ying Wang
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Contributions

YW conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination and drafted the manuscript; ST participated in the design and interpretation of the data; XD participated in the design and coordination of the study and performed the measurement; ZZ, ST participated in the design of the study and performed the statistical analysis; ZZ, YW conceived of the study, and participated in its design and coordination and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ying Wang.

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Zhu, Z., Tang, S., Deng, X. et al. Maternal Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring: A Meta-analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 50, 2852–2859 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04400-y

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