STUDY OF SOME PERINATAL AND NEONATAL RISK FACTORS FOR AUTISM.

Background: Autism is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders among children with unknown cause. Aim: This study has been conducted to determine the possible perinatal and neonatal risk factors of autism. Method: The present study is a case control study, 50 children with autismall of them fulfilling the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–IV-TR) recruited from the Psychiatric Clinic, Institute of Postgraduate Childhood Studies, Ain Shams University and 50 apparently healthy children of matchingage& sex recruited from different outpatient clinics as control group. Detailed history to all children including all the suspected risk factors through well-designed questionnaire and general examination with laying stress on neurological examination were done to all children enrolled in the study. Assessment of severity of autistic symptoms was done to cases. Results: High paternal and maternal age? 35 years at child birth, breech and other abnormal presentation, caesarean delivery, Preterm baby< 37 weeks of gestation, low birth weight < 2500 gm., 1st baby in the family and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were identified as significant risk factors of autism. Conclusion: Our findings support several perinatal, neonatal and paternal risk factors of autism. However, some have been associated with autism in several studies and should be considered as potential risk factors that provide small contributions to the etiology or causal pathway of autism.