Perinatal testosterone exposure and autistic-like traits in the general population: a longitudinal pregnancy-cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

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Background

Increased prenatal testosterone exposure has been hypothesized as a mechanism underlying autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, no studies have prospectively measured prenatal testosterone exposure and ASD. The current study sought to determine whether testosterone concentrations in umbilical cord blood are associated with a clinical diagnosis of ASD in a small number of children and with autistic-like traits in the general population.

Methods

Umbilical cord blood was collected from 707 children. Samples were analyzed for total (TT) and bioavailable (BioT) testosterone concentrations. Parent report indicated that five individuals had a clinical diagnosis of ASD. Those participants without a diagnosis were approached in early adulthood to comp

SUBMITTER: Whitehouse AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3500651 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature