Association between prenatal maternal iron deficiency anemia and  autism spectrum disorders in the offsprings

LIU Xian; GUO Cheng; ZHUO Mu-chun; CHEN Yi-ru; CHEN Wen-xiong

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2020-1818

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2021, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (9) : 955-959. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2020-1818

Original Articles

Association between prenatal maternal iron deficiency anemia and autism spectrum disorders in the offsprings

LIU Xian^*, GUO Cheng, ZHUO Mu-chun, CHEN Yi-ru, CHEN Wen-xiong

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Abstract

Objective To explore the association between prenatal iron deficiency anemia and later risk of offspring' autism spectrum disorders(ASD),so as to provide clues for the early prevention and intervention for ASD. Methods A total of 145 children diagnosed with ASD(ASD group)and 251 healthy children(control group)were enrolled in this cross-sectional study in 2018-2020.The questionnaires were used to collect general family information and prenatal iron deficiency information.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were conducted to examine the association between prenatal iron deficiency and the risk of offspring's ASD.Mediation analysis was further performed to investigate whether the relationship between prenatal iron deficiency and offspring's ASD was mediated by cesarean delivery,preterm or low birth weight. Results Compared with the control group,ASD children's mothers had a higher rate of prenatal iron deficiency(21.31% vs.7.56%,P<0.001).Children exposed to prenatal iron deficiency had an increased risk of ASD(OR=3.31,95%CI:1.73—6.32).After adjusting the variables such as child's sex,maternal education level,maternal passive smoking rate,nutrient supplementation in early pregnancy,the aforementioned trends remained.The association of prenatal iron deficiency with offspring's ASD was not mediated through cesarean delivery(indirect effect OR=0.99,95%CI:0.94—1.05),preterm(indirect effect OR=1.00,95%CI:0.95—1.08),or low birth weight(indirect effect OR=0.99,95%CI:0.94—1.04). Conclusions Prenatal iron deficiency is associated with an increased risk of the development of the offspring's ASD.Given that iron deficiency is common among pregnant women,early screening for iron deficiency anemia and nutrition counseling in antenatal care is necessary in reducing the risk of offspring's ASD.

Key words

autism spectrum disorders / iron deficiency / prenatal period

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LIU Xian, GUO Cheng, ZHUO Mu-chun, CHEN Yi-ru, CHEN Wen-xiong. Association between prenatal maternal iron deficiency anemia and autism spectrum disorders in the offsprings[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2021, 29(9): 955-959 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2020-1818

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