Caesarean section and risk of autism across gestational age: a multi-national cohort study of 5 million births.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The positive association between caesarean section (CS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be attributed to preterm delivery. However, due to lack of statistical power, no previous study thoroughly examined this association across gestational age. Moreover, most studies did not differentiate between emergency and planned CS.

Methods

Using population-based registries of four Nordic countries and Western Australia, our study population included 4 987 390 singletons surviving their first year of life, which included 671 646 CS deliveries and 31 073 ASD children. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for CS, adjusted for gestational age, site, maternal age and birth year. Stratified analyses were conducted

SUBMITTER: Yip BHK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5837358 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature