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Maternal prepregnancy weight and gestational weight gain in association with autism and developmental disorders in offspring
Author(s) -
Matias Susana L.,
Pearl Michelle,
Lyall Kristen,
Croen Lisa A.,
Kral Tanja V. E.,
Fallin Daniele,
Lee LiChing,
Bradley Chyrise B.,
Schieve Laura A.,
Windham Gayle C.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.23228
Subject(s) - offspring , weight gain , autism , medicine , association (psychology) , gestation , pregnancy , endocrinology , psychology , body weight , physiology , psychiatry , biology , psychotherapist , genetics
Abstract Objective Maternal prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG) are examined in relation to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disorders (DD) in offspring in a multisite case–control study. Methods Maternal prepregnancy BMI, obtained from medical records or self‐report, was categorized as underweight, normal weight, overweight, obesity Class 1, or obesity Class 2/3. GWG was standardized for gestational age (GWG z score), and the rate (pounds/week) was categorized per adherence with clinical recommendations. Logistic regression models, adjusting for demographic factors, were used to assess associations with ASD ( n = 1,159) and DD ( n = 1,617), versus control children ( n = 1,633). Results Maternal obesity Class 2/3 was associated with ASD (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.40‐2.51) and DD (AOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.22‐2.13). GWG z score was not associated with DD (AOR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.95‐1.36), but the GWG z score highest tertile was associated with higher odds of ASD, particularly among male children (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.15‐1.88). Conclusions Results indicate that maternal prepregnancy severe obesity increases risk of ASD and DD in children and suggest high gestational‐age‐adjusted GWG is a risk factor for ASD in male children. Because maternal BMI and GWG are routinely measured and potentially modifiable, these findings could inform early interventions for high‐risk mother–child dyads.