Study of Associated Risk Factors of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Upper Egyptian Children | ||
| Al-Azhar Journal of Pediatrics | ||
| Volume 28, Issue 4, October 2025 PDF (515.25 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/azjp.2025.456777 | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Hunderd of autism risk genes and various social factors have been discovered. Aim of the Work: To evaluate various perinatal and environmental risk factors associated with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: The current study included 20 children diagnosed as autism spectrum disorder according to DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders Fifth Edition), aged from 2 years to 12 years (12 male and 8 females). All children were subjected to a detailed history taking and thorough clinical examination with special emphasis on neurological examination and their clinical and social risk factors. Assessment of severity of autistic symptoms was done using childhood autism rating scale (CARS), intelligence quotient (IQ) was evaluated by use of Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale, 4th edition (SB4). Results: 60% of the studied patients were males. The mean +_SD of age was 7.43+_3.23. current study have shown that low socioeconomic status (85%) is significantly associated with ASD. Family history of autism was 25%. CARS assessment revealed that 55% of patients were mild to moderate autism and 45% were with severe autism. IQ with wide range from mild to severe mental retardation, 25% mildly defective, 40% moderately defective and 35% severely defective. 45% of parents were consanguineous. 35% of the cases came from urban areas and 65% from rural. Advanced maternal age more than 35 years in 5% of children and 15% of mothers were educated 85% were uneducated. As regard to pregnancy complications, there was no history of maternal infection, no maternal bleeding or preeclampsia and DM, none of the studied mothers reported history of exposure to chemical radiation during pregnancy. All of the children in the study were full term. 60% of the cases delivered by cesarean delivery and 40% were delivered by vaginal delivery. 5% of cases reported prolonged labor and 10% of the cases reported history of hypoxia but there is no history birth trauma. 5% of cases needed resuscitation after delivery and 15% needed NICU admission. 5% of cases reported neonatal jaundice. The type of feeding was breast feeding in 50% of cases and 50% were bottle feeding. Stereotyped movements, language, social impairment and social risk factors were presented in all autistic children (N=20). 95% exposed to media (TV or mobile) more than 2 hours daily while 75% were social deprived. Conclusions: The most common risk factors among the patients in the current study sample was the social factors which associated with high incidence of autism , social deprivation and increase time exposed to media, in correlation with low social and economic level and low educational level of patients' mothers. Keywords: | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Autistic spectrum disorder ASD; Children; Risk factors; Upper Egypt | ||
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