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Abstract
Objectives: This study examines several perinatal and parental risk factors in an epidemiological study of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Methods: Based on a sample of 273 children with ASD who have been followed up at a General Hospital of North Greece, an additional sample of 273 healthy children, matched for age, is also recruited as a control group.
Results: The innovative results indicate significant correlation of ASD with three critical categories of factors: genetic, perinatal, and environmental. According to the empirical findings of multivariate logistic regression analysis, critical factors indicating higher risk for autism disorders include: male gender; gestational age (GA); multiple gestations; maternal age at delivery; and, maternal education.
Conclusions: The significant impact of perinatal and environmental factors can be indicative of their amplifying impact on genetic prone subjects.
Notes
1 This doctor, now Emeritus Professor of Developmental Peadiatric Department, School of Medicine, Aristotle University, Greece, has served as the Director of the Center of Developmental Paediatrics over a number of years.