Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
- Zahra Farsi 1
- Masoud Jabari Morooei 2
- Samaneh Farnia 2
- Ali Abbaskhanian 3
- Sara Dehbozorgi 4
- Amir Asadi 5
1 Department of Aja University of Medical Sciences - Research and Community Health Department, Faculty of Nursing, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Kaj St., Shariati St, Tehran, Iran.
2 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
3 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
4 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
5 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran -
Abstract
Background: Identifying the risk and protective factors of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can play an important role in preventing their occurrence. This study aimed to determine the risk and protective factors associated with ASD.
Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted in Sari, Iran in 2020-2021. One Hundred Ninety-Six children aged 2-17 years referred to Baghban (Touba) Clinic, Clinic of Zareh Psychiatric Hospital, and Bu-Ali Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic were recruited by convenience sampling. 98 children with ASD were included in the case group based on the DSM-V diagnostic criteria, and 98 children who did not have ASD were assigned to the control group. Then, possible risk factors in both groups were examined. At a significance level of P < 0.05, the odds ratio with a 95% confidence level was calculated.
Results: After adjusting the odds ratio (95% CI), ASD was significantly associated with relatives’ consanguinity [0.625 (0.409, 0.953)], breastfeeding [0.743 (0.582, 0.950)], and child’s head trauma [15.911 (1.78, 142.238)]. Closer relatives’ consanguinity increased the risk of autism in children by 1.6 times. Children who breastfed for a longer period (up to 2 years) were 1.34 times less likely to develop autism. Also, children with a history of head trauma were about 16 times more likely to develop autism than children without a history of head trauma.
Conclusion: Breastfeeding has a protective effect and the existence of closer relatives’ consanguinity and a history of head trauma as risk factors for ASD. Further studies are recommended.
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