There is inconsistent evidence about the association between fetal nuchal cord and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We performed a meta-analysis to investigate whether fetal nuchal cord is associated with an increased risk of ASD in offspring.
MethodsThree main English databases were searched until January 2021. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality. Study heterogeneity was determined using the I 2 statistic, while publication bias was assessed using Begg's and Egger's tests. Results are presented as odds ratios (ORs) and relative ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and were determined by a randomeffects model.
ResultsFive articles (one cohort, four case-control; 3088 total children) were included in the present meta-analysis. Fetal nuchal cord was not a risk factor for ASD (OR=1.11; 95% CI, 0.66-1.57).There was homogeneity among studies that reported a risk of ASD (I 2 =0.0%).
ConclusionOur results showed that fetal nuchal cord is not a risk factor for ASD. Future large cohort studies should confirm this finding.