Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0832 |
| Title: | Month of conception and risk of autism. |
| Author(s): | Zerbo O, et al., et al. |
| Reference: | epidemiology 2011;22(4):469-75 |
| Place of Study: | USA |
| Abstract: | Send to:
The study population comprises 6,604,975 children born from 1990 to 2002 in California. Autism cases (n = 19,238) were identified from 1990 through 2008 in databases of the California Department of Developmental Services, which coordinates services for people with developmental disorders. The outcome in this analysis was autism diagnosed before the child's sixth birth date. The main independent variables were month of conception and season of conception (winter, spring, summer, and fall). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for autism by month of conception.
Children conceived in December (OR = 1.09 [95% CI = 1.02-1.17]), January (1.08 [1.00-1.17]), February (1.12 [1.04-1.20]), or March (1.16 [1.08-1.24]) had higher risk of developing autism compared with those conceived in July. Conception in the winter season (December, January, and February) was associated with a 6% (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02-1.10) increased risk compared with summer.
CONCLUSIONS:
Higher risks for autism among those conceived in winter months suggest the presence of environmental causes of autism that vary by season. |
| Keyword(s): | autism, autistic spectrum disorder, seasonality of birth |
| Discussion: | No discussion mentioned for this entry |
| See Also: | No related entries mentioned for this entry |
Go Back | New Keyword Search