Obstetric factors in Asperger syndrome: comparison with high‐functioning autism

Abstract

Asperger syndrome (AS) is a pervasive developmental disorder widely regarded as a mild variant of autism. To investigate if AS is associated with a history of fewer obstetric insults compared to autism, we examined the developmental history and obstetric records of 10 males with AS (mean full scale IQ 95.3), and compared them with 10 autistic males with a full scale IQ of 70 or above (so-called high-functioning autism; mean full scale IQ 82.6). Males with AS showed a trend toward lower Apgar scores at one minute (chi-square = 4; df = 1; P = 0.04) and were more likely to have been born to mothers outside the optimal age group of 20-30 years (chi-square = 5; df = 1; P = 0.02). They were also less likely to have been irritable and floppy as infants (chi-square = 3.8; df = 1; P = 0.05). However, the total optimality scores did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Birth Weight and Gestational Age Characteristics of Children With Autism, Including a Comparison With Other Developmental Disabilities

“…In other studies, birth weight and prematurity were not considered separately but were included as components in summary measures of obstetric optimality. 13,21,22,37,38 Collectively, these studies suggest that a history of suboptimal pregnancy conditions occurs for some children with autism, but the strength of the associations between autism and low birth weight (LBW) or preterm birth specifically, as well as the biological significance, is unclear.…”

Understanding and Caring for the Child With Asperger Syndrome

“…AS occurs 4-10 times more frequently in boys than in girls. Theories of causation include genetic factors, perinatal injury, and defects of embryonic development, among others (Fisher et al, 1999;Ghaziuddin, Shakal, & Tsai, 1995;Towbin, 1997;Volkmar et al, 1998). The genetic factors seem the most likely origin, and there are many incidental and case reports in which family members of children with AS demonstrate similar behaviors (Gillberg, 1991;Volkmar et al, 1998).…”

Asperger Syndrome: Familial and Pre- and Perinatal Factors

“…However, the empirical data on the etiology and pathogenesis of AS is scant, and much of current clinical consensus derives from inferences drawn from the study of autistic disorder. The few studies that have been published (e.g., Ghaziuddin, Shakal, & Tsai, 1995;Gillberg, 1989;Rickarby, Carruthers, & Mitchell, 1991) have been on samples of no more than one or two dozen individuals. However, recently, a genome-wide-scan for susceptibility genetic loci was performed by a Finnish group, finding at least two loci (on chromosomes 1 and 3) that have previously been identified as susceptibility loci for autistic disorder (Ylisaukko-oja et al, 2004).…”