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Zhang P, Wang X, Xu Y, Zhao X, Zhang X, Zhao Z, Wang H, Xiong Z. Association between interpregnancy interval and risk of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:1209-1221. [PMID: 38085281 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05364-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Although the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been reported to be associated with interpregnancy intervals (IPIs), their association remains debatable due to inconsistent findings in existing studies. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore their association. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were systematically retrieved up to May 25, 2022. An updated search was performed on May 25, 2023, to encompass recent studies. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Our primary outcome measures were expressed as adjusted odds ratios (ORs). Given various control measures for IPI and diverse IPI thresholds in the included studies, a Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed. Eight studies were included, involving 24,865 children with ASD and 2,890,289 children without ASD. Compared to an IPI of 24 to 35 months, various IPIs were significantly associated with a higher risk of ASD (IPIs < 6 months: OR = 1.63, 95% CI 1.53-1.74, n = 5; IPIs of 6-11 months: OR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.42-1.59, n = 4; IPIs of 12-23 months: OR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.12-1.23, n = 10; IPIs of 36-59 months: OR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.99, n = 2; IPIs of 60-119 months: OR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.10-1.20, n = 4; IPIs > 120 months: OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.43-1.72, n = 4). After adjusting confounding variables, our analysis delineated a U-shaped restricted cubic spline curve, underscoring that both substantially short (< 24 months) and excessively long IPIs (> 72 months) are significantly correlated with an increased risk of ASD. Conclusion: Our analysis indicates that both shorter and longer IPIs might predispose children to a higher risk of ASD. Optimal childbearing health and neurodevelopmental outcomes appear to be associated with a moderate IPI, specifically between 36 and 60 months. What is Known: • An association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and interpregnancy intervals (IPIs) has been speculated in some reports. • This association remains debatable due to inconsistent findings in available studies. What is New: • Our study delineated a U-shaped restricted cubic spline curve, suggesting that both shorter and longer IPIs predispose children to a higher risk of ASD. • Optimal childbearing health and neurodevelopmental outcomes appear to be associated with a moderate IPI, specifically between 36 and 60 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhang
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yufen Xu
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhao
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhiwei Zhao
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Zhonggui Xiong
- Department of Child Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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Dhamrait G, O'Donnell M, Christian H, Taylor CL, Pereira G. Interpregnancy interval and adverse birth outcomes: a population-based cohort study of twins. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:96. [PMID: 38297231 PMCID: PMC10832241 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-06119-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate associations between interpregnancy intervals (IPIs) and adverse birth outcomes in twin pregnancies. METHODS This retrospective cohort study of 9,867 twin pregnancies in Western Australia from 1980-2015. Relative Risks (RRs) were estimated for the interval prior to the pregnancy (IPI) as the exposure and after the pregnancy as a negative control exposure for preterm birth (< 37 weeks), early preterm birth (< 34 weeks), small for gestational age (SGA: < 10th percentile of birth weight by sex and gestational age) and low birth weight (LBW: birthweight < 2,500 g). RESULTS Relative to IPIs of 18-23 months, IPIs of < 6 months were associated with a higher risk of early preterm birth (aRR 1.41, 95% CI 1.08-1.83) and LBW for at least one twin (aRR 1.16, 95% CI 1.06-1.28). IPIs of 6-11 months were associated with a higher risk of SGA (aRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.54) and LBW for at least one twin (aRR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.19). IPIs of 60-119 months and ≥ 120 months were associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.22; and (aRR 1.25, 95% CI 1.10-1.41, respectively), and LBW for at least one twin (aRR 1.17, 95% CI 1.08-1.28; and aRR 1.20, 95% CI 1.05-1.36, respectively). IPIs of ≥ 120 months were also associated with an increased risk of early preterm birth (aRR 1.42, 95% CI 1.01-2.00). After negative control analysis, IPIs ≥ 120 months remained associated with early preterm birth and LBW. CONCLUSION Evidence for adverse associations with twin birth outcomes was strongest for long IPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gursimran Dhamrait
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 15 Hospital Avenue, PO Box 855, West Perth, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6872, Australia.
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Melissa O'Donnell
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 15 Hospital Avenue, PO Box 855, West Perth, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6872, Australia
- Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Hayley Christian
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 15 Hospital Avenue, PO Box 855, West Perth, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6872, Australia
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Catherine L Taylor
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 15 Hospital Avenue, PO Box 855, West Perth, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6872, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gavin Pereira
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, 15 Hospital Avenue, PO Box 855, West Perth, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6872, Australia
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Centre for Fertility and Health (CeFH), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Ma R, Wang P, Yang Q, Zhu Y, Zhang L, Wang Y, Sun L, Li W, Ge J, Zhu P. Interpregnancy interval and early infant neurodevelopment: the role of maternal-fetal glucose metabolism. BMC Med 2024; 22:2. [PMID: 38169387 PMCID: PMC10762827 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03191-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interpregnancy interval (IPI) is associated with a variety of adverse maternal and infant outcomes. However, reports of its associations with early infant neurodevelopment are limited and the mechanisms of this association have not been elucidated. Maternal-fetal glucose metabolism has been shown to be associated with infant neurodevelopmental. The objective of this study was to determine whether this metabolism plays a role in the relationship between IPI and neurodevelopment. METHODS This prospective birth cohort study included 2599 mother-infant pairs. The IPI was calculated by subtracting the gestational age of the current pregnancy from the interval at the end of the previous pregnancy. Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months in infants were assessed by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire Edition 3 (ASQ-3). Maternal fasting venous blood was collected at 24-28 weeks and cord blood was collected at delivery. The association between IPI and neurodevelopment was determined by logistic regression. Mediation and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. RESULTS In our cohort, 14.0% had an IPI < 12 months. IPI < 12 months increased the failure of the communication domain, fine motor domain, and personal social domain of the ASQ (relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.73 [1.11,2.70]; 1.73 [1.10,2.72]; 1.51 [1.00,2.29]). Maternal homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and cord blood C-peptide was significantly associated with failure in the communication domain [RRs with 95% CI: 1.15 (1.02, 1.31); 2.15 (1.26, 3.67)]. The proportion of the association between IPI and failure of the communication domain risk mediated by maternal HOMA-IR and cord blood C-peptide was 14.4%. CONCLUSIONS IPI < 12 months was associated with failing the communication domain in infants. Maternal-fetal glucose metabolism abnormality may partially explain the risk of neurodevelopmental delay caused by short IPI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruirui Ma
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Center for Big Data and Population Health of IHM, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Center for Big Data and Population Health of IHM, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qiaolan Yang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Center for Big Data and Population Health of IHM, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Center for Big Data and Population Health of IHM, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuhong Wang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Center for Big Data and Population Health of IHM, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lijun Sun
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Wenxiang Li
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Jinfang Ge
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
| | - Peng Zhu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
- MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
- Center for Big Data and Population Health of IHM, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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Hijazi H, Alameddine M, Al Abdi RM, Baniissa W, Sindiani A, Al-Yateem N, Al-Sharman A, Al Marzouqi A, Hossain A. Association between inter-pregnancy interval and risk of adverse birth outcomes in subsequent pregnancy: A retrospective study from Jordan. Birth 2023; 50:946-958. [PMID: 37455440 DOI: 10.1111/birt.12746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW), are leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to estimate the association between inter-pregnancy interval (IPI) and the risks of adverse birth outcomes in a subsequent pregnancy. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis involving 630 mothers who delivered a singleton live infant at a leading tertiary hospital in northern Jordan from March to August 2021. Outcome variables were preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation) and LBW (<2.5 kg). Using multivariable logistic regression, the association between IPI and these two adverse birth outcomes was investigated. RESULTS The rates of preterm birth and LBW were 12.4% and 16.8%, respectively. Compared with an optimal IPI (24-36 months), a short IPI (<24 months) was positively associated with preterm birth (aOR: 4.09; 95% CI: 1.48-6.55) and LBW (aOR: 3.58; 95% CI: 1.57-5.15). Infants conceived after a long IPI (≥ 60 months) had increased odds of preterm birth (aOR: 3.78; 95% CI: 1.12-5.78) and LBW (aOR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.67-4.03). Preterm delivery was also significantly associated with the mother's age (aOR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04-1.17), history of multiple cesarean births (aOR: 2.67; 95% CI: 1.14-4.29), prolonged rupture of membranes (aOR: 2.46; 95% CI: 1.10-5.52), and perinatal death (aOR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.10-5.49). A mother's history of prior LBW (aOR: 4.39; 95% CI: 1.08-6.80), hypertensive disorders (aOR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.03-3.89), and multiple cesarean births (aOR: 4.35; 95% CI: 2.10-6.99) was associated with LBW. CONCLUSIONS Both short and long IPIs were related to preterm delivery and LBW. Optimal birth spacing is recommended to improve birth outcomes and must be considered when designing effective family planning programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Hijazi
- Department of Health Services Administration, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Mohamad Alameddine
- Department of Health Services Administration, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rabah M Al Abdi
- Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Wegdan Baniissa
- Nursing Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amer Sindiani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Nabeel Al-Yateem
- Nursing Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alham Al-Sharman
- Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Rehabilitation Sciences Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Alounoud Al Marzouqi
- Department of Health Services Administration, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed Hossain
- Department of Health Services Administration, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Dachew BA, Pereira G, Tessema GA, Dhamrait GK, Alati R. Interpregnancy interval and the risk of oppositional defiant disorder in offspring. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:891-898. [PMID: 35232525 DOI: 10.1017/s095457942200013x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The study aimed to investigate the association between interpregnancy interval (IPI) and parent-reported oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in offspring at 7 and 10 years of age. We used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), an ongoing population-based longitudinal study based in Bristol, United Kingdom (UK). Data included in the analysis consisted of more than 3200 mothers and their singleton children. The association between IPI and ODD was determined using a series of log-binomial regression analyses. We found that children of mothers with short IPI (<6 months) were 2.4 times as likely to have a diagnosis of ODD at 7 and 10 years compared to mothers with IPI of 18-23 months (RR = 2.45; 95%CI: 1.24-4.81 and RR = 2.40; 95% CI: 1.08-5.33), respectively. We found no evidence of associations between other IPI categories and risk of ODD in offspring in both age groups. Adjustment for a wide range of confounders, including maternal mental health, and comorbid ADHD did not alter the findings. This study suggests that the risk of ODD is higher among children born following short IPI (<6 months). Future large prospective studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms explaining this association.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gavin Pereira
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Fertility and Health (CeFH), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gizachew Assefa Tessema
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Gursimran Kaur Dhamrait
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Rosa Alati
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Institute for Social Science Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Anna S, Magdalena J. Editorial: Epigenomic contributions to autism spectrum disorders. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1177378. [PMID: 37144095 PMCID: PMC10151758 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1177378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Starnawska Anna
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, CGPM, and Center for Integrative Sequencing, iSEQ, Aarhus, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Starnawska Anna
| | - Janecka Magdalena
- Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Bliznashka L, Jeong J. Investigating the direct and indirect associations between birth intervals and child growth and development: A cross-sectional analysis of 13 Demographic and Health Surveys. SSM Popul Health 2022; 19:101168. [PMID: 35855972 PMCID: PMC9287629 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There is considerable literature on the associations of short birth intervals with adverse perinatal outcomes. However, less is known about the associations with child growth and development. In this study, we investigated the associations between birth intervals and child growth and development and examined child illness, child diet, and maternal stimulation as potential mechanisms. We pooled Demographic and Health Survey data on 8300 children aged 36–59 months from 13 countries (Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Haiti, Honduras, Rwanda, Senegal, Timor-Leste, Togo, and Uganda). Longer birth interval was defined as a preceding birth interval ≥33 months. Child growth was assessed using height-for-age Z-score (HAZ). Child cognitive and socio-emotional development were measured using the Early Childhood Development Index. Child morbidity was defined as any illness in the past two weeks. Child diet was assessed using dietary diversity score and maternal stimulation by the number of stimulation activities. We used generalised linear models to estimate associations between longer birth intervals and child growth and development. Structural equation modelling was used to assess direct and indirect effects. In our sample, 44% of children had a preceding birth interval ≥33 months, 42% were stunted, 25% were cognitively off-track, and 33% socio-emotionally off-track. Longer birth intervals were associated with higher HAZ (mean difference 0.23 (95% CI 0.14, 0.32)) and socio-emotional development (relative risk (RR) 1.04 (95% CI 1.00, 1.09), but not cognitive development (RR 1.02 (95% CI 0.98, 1.06). We observed no significant indirect effects via child illness, child dietary diversity, or maternal stimulation. Although longer birth intervals were beneficial for child growth and socio-emotional development, we found no empirical support for the biological and behavioural mechanisms we explored. Additional research is needed to investigate alternative mechanisms to elucidate underlying processes and inform future interventions. Longer birth intervals were associated with improved child growth and development. Longer birth intervals were more beneficial for child outcomes in wealthier households. Child illness, diet, and stimulation were not empirically substantiated as mechanisms. Future research could explore additional biological and behavioural mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia Bliznashka
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua Jeong
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Tuz-Zahura F, Sen KK, Nilima S, Bari W. Can women's 3E index impede short birth interval? evidence from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2017-18. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263003. [PMID: 35081128 PMCID: PMC8791508 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women's empowerment, education, and economic status are jointly introduced as women's 3E. A number of studies found the significant association of these three variables with maternal health outcomes, but no studies, to the best of knowledge, have been found to justify the joint influence of women's 3E on the birth interval. As several studies have revealed that the short birth interval increases the risk of adverse maternal, perinatal, and infant outcomes and it is also responsible for increasing the country's population size, more research is needed on the birth interval. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the influence of women's 3E on the short birth interval after controlling the other selected covariates. METHODS Data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), 2017-18 have been used to serve the purpose of the study. To measure the birth interval, at least two live births for non-pregnant mothers and at least one live birth for currently pregnant mothers born in the 5 years before the survey were included in the study. The Chi-Square test was applied to know the unadjusted association of the selected covariates including women's 3E with the short birth interval. In order to find out the adjusted association of women's 3E with the short birth interval, sequential binary logistic regression models have been used. RESULTS The study found that about 23% of births in Bangladesh were born in a short birth interval. The likelihood of subsequent births of women decreases with an increase in the score of women's 3E before or after controlling the characteristics of women, child, and households. The results of the final model show that mothers with the coverage of 50% - 75%, 75% - 100%, and full coverage (100%) in 3E have a 23%, 41%, and 42% lower odds of having short birth interval compared to mothers with coverage of below 50% in 3E, respectively. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Bangladesh still lags behind in meeting the minimum requirements for inter-birth intervals set by the World Health Organization. The study has shown that the 3E in women can contribute in prolonging the duration of subsequent births in Bangladesh. Policy-making interventions are needed to raise awareness among uneducated, under-empowered and economically poor reproductive women through family planning and fertility control programs so that the country can achieve the desired fertility rate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shahnaz Nilima
- Department of Statistics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Wasimul Bari
- Department of Statistics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Dhamrait G, Fletcher T, Foo D, Taylor CL, Pereira G. The effects of birth spacing on early childhood development in high-income nations: A systematic review. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:851700. [PMID: 36507145 PMCID: PMC9732574 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.851700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the associations between birth spacing and developmental outcomes in early childhood (3-10 years of age). Studies examining the associations between interpregnancy intervals and child development outcomes during and beyond the perinatal period have not been systematically reviewed. METHODS We searched Ovid/MEDLINE, Global Health, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, Educational Source, Research Starters, ERIC, Scopus, PubMed, Social Science Research Network database, and ProQuest's Social Sciences Databases for relevant articles published between 1 January 1989 and 25 June 2021. Studies published in English, conducted in populations residing in high-income countries with any measure of birth spacing, and child development outcomes among children aged <10 years were included. Two authors independently assessed the eligibility of studies and extracted data on the study design, setting and population, birth spacing, outcomes, and results. RESULTS The search yielded 1,556 records, of which seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Five of these seven studies used birth intervals as the exposure measure. Definitions of exposure differed between the studies. Three studies reported an association between short birth spacing and poorer child development outcomes, and two studies reported an association between long birth spacing and poorer child development outcomes. CONCLUSION Currently, limited evidence suggests that the adverse effects of sub-optimal birth spacing are observable beyond infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gursimran Dhamrait
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Tess Fletcher
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Damien Foo
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Catherine L Taylor
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Gavin Pereira
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,Centre for Fertility and Health (CeFH), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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10
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Pereira G, Francis RW, Gissler M, Hansen SN, Kodesh A, Leonard H, Levine SZ, Mitter VR, Parner ET, Regan AK, Reichenberg A, Sandin S, Suominen A, Schendel D. Optimal interpregnancy interval in autism spectrum disorder: A multi-national study of a modifiable risk factor. Autism Res 2021; 14:2432-2443. [PMID: 34423916 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
It is biologically plausible that risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is elevated by both short and long interpregnancy intervals (IPI). We conducted a retrospective cohort study of singleton, non-nulliparous live births, 1998-2007 in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden (N = 925,523 births). Optimal IPI was defined as the IPI at which minimum risk was observed. Generalized additive models were used to estimate relative risks (RR) of ASD and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Population impact fractions (PIF) for ASD were estimated under scenarios for shifts in the IPI distribution. We observed that the association between ASD (N = 9302) and IPI was U-shaped for all countries. ASD risk was lowest (optimal IPI) at 35 months for all countries combined, and at 30, 33, and 39 months in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, respectively. Fully adjusted RRs at IPIs of 6, 12, and 60 months were 1.41 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.85), 1.26 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.56), and 1.24 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.58) compared to an IPI of 35 months. Under the most conservative scenario PIFs ranged from 5% (95% CI: 1%-8%) in Denmark to 9% (95% CI: 6%-12%) in Sweden. The minimum ASD risk followed IPIs of 30-39 months across three countries. These results reflect both direct IPI effects and other, closely related social and biological pathways. If our results reflect biologically causal effects, increasing optimal IPIs and reducing their indications, such as unintended pregnancy and delayed age at first pregnancy has the potential to prevent a salient proportion of ASD cases. LAY SUMMARY: Waiting 35 months to conceive again after giving birth resulted in the least risk of autism. Shorter and longer intervals resulted in risks that were up to 50% and 85% higher, respectively. About 5% to 9% of autism cases might be avoided by optimizing birth spacing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Pereira
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Centre for Fertility and Health (CeFH), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Richard W Francis
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mika Gissler
- Information Services Department, THL Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.,Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society & Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan N Hansen
- Research Unit for Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Arad Kodesh
- Department of Community Mental Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.,Meuhedet Health Services, Mental Health, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Helen Leonard
- enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Stephen Z Levine
- Department of Community Mental Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Vera R Mitter
- Centre for Fertility and Health (CeFH), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eric T Parner
- Research Unit for Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Annette K Regan
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Nursing and Health Professions, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Abraham Reichenberg
- Departments of Psychiatry and Environmental Medicine and Public Health; Mindich Child Health and Development Institute; Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sven Sandin
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Auli Suominen
- Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Diana Schendel
- National Centre for Register-based Research, Department of Economics and Business, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH), Aarhus, Denmark.,Research Unit for Epidemiology; Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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11
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Mamo H, Dagnaw A, Sharew NT, Brhane K, Kotiso KS. Prevalence of short interpregnancy interval and its associated factors among pregnant women in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255613. [PMID: 34339456 PMCID: PMC8328324 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Short inter-pregnancy interval is an interval of <24 months between the dates of birth of the preceding child and the conception date of the current pregnancy. Despite its direct effects on the perinatal and maternal outcomes, there is a paucity of evidence on its prevalence and determinant factors, particularly in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study assessed the prevalence and associated factors of short inter-pregnancy interval among pregnant women in Debre Berhan town, Northern Ethiopia. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among a randomly selected 496 pregnant women in Debre Berhan town from February 9 to March 9, 2020. The data were collected by using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using STATA (14.2) statistical software. To identify the predictors of short inter-pregnancy interval, multivariable binary logistic regression was fitted and findings are presented using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Result The overall prevalence of short inter-pregnancy interval (<24 months) among pregnant women was 205 (40.9%). Being over 30 years of age at first birth (AOR = 3.50; 95% CI: 2.12–6.01), non-use of modern contraceptive (AOR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.23–3.71), duration of breastfeeding for less than 12 months (AOR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.32–5.23), parity above four (AOR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.05–0.81), and unintended pregnancy (AOR = 5.42; 95% CI: 3.34–9.22) were independently associated factors with short inter-pregnancy interval. Conclusion Despite the public health interventions being tried in the country, the prevalence of short inter-pregnancy interval in this study is high. Therefore, it implies that increasing contraceptive use and encouraging optimal breastfeeding might help in the efforts made to avert the problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Mamo
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wachemo University, Hosaena, Ethiopia
| | - Abinet Dagnaw
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
| | - Nigussie Tadesse Sharew
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
| | - Kalayu Brhane
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Debre Berhan University, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kehabtimer Shiferaw Kotiso
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
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12
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Research and training in autism spectrum disorder to catalyze the next genomic and neuroscience revolutions. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1429-1431. [PMID: 32601454 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0830-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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13
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Dhamrait GK, Taylor CL, Pereira G. Interpregnancy intervals and child development at age 5: a population data linkage study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e045319. [PMID: 33757954 PMCID: PMC7993213 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the associations between interpregnancy intervals (IPIs) and developmental vulnerability in children's first year of full-time school (age 5). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study using logistic regression. ORs were estimated for associations with IPIs with adjustment for child, parent and community sociodemographic variables. SETTING Western Australia (WA), 2002-2015. PARTICIPANTS 34 574 WA born singletons with a 2009, 2012 or 2015 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) record. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The AEDC measures child development across five domains; Physical Health and Wellbeing, Social Competence, Emotional Maturity, Language and Cognitive Skills (school-based) and Communication Skills and General Knowledge. Children with scores <10th percentile were classified as developmentally vulnerable on, one or more domains (DV1), or two or more domains (DV2). RESULTS 22.8% and 11.5% of children were classified as DV1 and DV2, respectively. In the adjusted models (relative to the reference category, IPIs of 18-23 months), IPIs of <6 months were associated with an increased risk of children being classified as DV1 (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.17, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.34), DV2 (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.54) and an increased risk of developmental vulnerability for the domains of Physical Health and Wellbeing (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.48) and Emotional Maturity (aOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.66). All IPIs longer than the reference category were associated with and increased risk of children being classified as DV1 and DV2 (aOR >1.15). IPIs of 60-119 months and ≥120 months, were associated with an increased risk of developmental vulnerability on each of the five AEDC domains, with greater odds for each domain for the longer IPI category. CONCLUSIONS IPIs showed independent J-shaped relationships with developmental vulnerability, with short (<6 months) and longer (≥24 months) associated with increased risks of developmental vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gursimran Kaur Dhamrait
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Catherine Louise Taylor
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gavin Pereira
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Fertility and Health (CeFH), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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14
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Katz J, Reichenberg A, Kolevzon A. Prenatal and perinatal metabolic risk factors for autism: a review and integration of findings from population-based studies. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2021; 34:94-104. [PMID: 33278157 PMCID: PMC9341035 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Given the ongoing rise in prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the challenges in developing and administering interventions to significantly alleviate ASD symptoms, there is an urgent need to identify modifiable risk factors for ASD. The goal of this review is to systematically evaluate the current evidence for an association between conditions related to maternal metabolic syndrome and risk for ASD in offspring focusing on methodically rigorous studies. RECENT FINDINGS In recent years, multiple studies explored the association between various conditions related to maternal metabolic syndrome (obesity, hypertension, or diabetes prior to, or with onset during pregnancy) and ASD risk in the offspring. SUMMARY Examining large, sufficiently powered, population-based epidemiological studies that explored the association between maternal metabolic syndrome and ASD, we found consistent evidence for an association between maternal preeclampsia and risk for ASD. Other conditions that are part of maternal metabolic syndrome, including maternal obesity, gestational weight gain, diabetes and gestational diabetes, should be studied further with careful attention paid to potential synergistic effects between different metabolic conditions. These findings highlight the need for rigorous, large, population-based epidemiological studies of potentially modifiable ASD risk factors that could inform public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Katz
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, NY
| | - Abraham Reichenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, NY
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, NY
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, NY
| | - Alexander Kolevzon
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, NY
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, NY
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY, NY
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15
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Damtie Y, Kefale B, Yalew M, Arefaynie M, Adane B. Short birth spacing and its association with maternal educational status, contraceptive use, and duration of breastfeeding in Ethiopia. A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246348. [PMID: 33534830 PMCID: PMC7857626 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Closely spaced birth increases the risk of adverse maternal and child health outcomes. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of short birth spacing was highly variable across studies. Besides, contraceptive use, educational status, and duration of breastfeeding were frequently mentioned factors affecting short birth spacing. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of short birth spacing and its association with contraceptive use, educational status, and duration of breastfeeding among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia. Methods International databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane library, HINARI, and Global Health were searched systematically to identify articles reporting the prevalence of short birth spacing and its association with contraceptive use, educational status, and duration of breastfeeding among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia. The data were analyzed by STATA/SE version-14 statistical software. The random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of short birth spacing and the log odds ratio was used to determine the association. Moreover, egger’s test and I-squared statistics were used to assess publication bias and heterogeneity respectively. Results After reviewing 511 research articles, a total of nine articles with 5,682 study participants were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of short birth spacing in Ethiopia was 46.9% [95% CI: (34.7, 59.1)]. Significant heterogeneity was observed between studies (I2 = 98.4, p <0.001). Not using contraceptives [OR = 3.87, 95% CI: (2.29, 6.53)] and duration of breastfeeding < 24 months [OR = 16.9, 95%CI: (2.69, 106.47)] had a significant association with short birth spacing. Conclusions Although a minimum inter-pregnancy interval of two years was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), significant numbers of women still practiced short birth spacing in Ethiopia. Duration of breastfeeding and non-use of contraceptives were factors significantly associated with short birth spacing. So, efforts should be made to improve breastfeeding practice and contraceptive utilization among women in Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitayish Damtie
- Department of Reproductive and Family Health, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Bereket Kefale
- Department of Reproductive and Family Health, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Melaku Yalew
- Department of Reproductive and Family Health, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Mastewal Arefaynie
- Department of Reproductive and Family Health, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Bezawit Adane
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
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16
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Wilson EK, Koo HP, Minnis AM. Factors influencing women's decisions about pregnancy spacing: Findings from a focus group discussion study. Contraception 2020; 103:190-194. [PMID: 33285098 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2020.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Very short interpregnancy intervals are associated with negative health outcomes for mothers and children, and pregnancies with very short interpregnancy intervals are more likely to be unintended than pregnancies that are more widely spaced. The objective of this study was to improve understanding of women's motivations regarding pregnancy spacing. METHODS In 2017, we conducted 8 focus group discussions with 49 English- and Spanish-speaking postpartum women in central North Carolina. The groups explored participants' preferences for birth spacing and factors that influenced their decisions. We recorded, transcribed, and coded the discussions and analyzed these data for core themes. RESULTS Participants' ideas about when and whether to have more children were fluid-some had specific ideas during pregnancy or after delivery that changed over time; others had no definite plans. The primary reason for close birth spacing was to promote their children's having a closer relationship. Reasons for wider spacing included recovery from the previous pregnancy, challenges related to having 2 babies concurrently, and desire to wait for more favorable life circumstances. Participants did not mention health risks to children of short interpregnancy intervals and said that no health care providers discussed these risks with them. They had mixed perspectives about whether this information would influence their own child-spacing preferences but agreed that it should be shared with women to promote informed decision-making. CONCLUSION This study adds to limited research regarding the factors that women consider when determining pregnancy spacing. Better understanding of women's motivations can help inform counseling to help women achieve their desired pregnancy spacing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen P Koo
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
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17
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Dehesh T, Salarpour E, Malekmohammadi N, Kermani SA. Associated factors of pregnancy spacing among women of reproductive age Group in South of Iran: cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2020; 20:554. [PMID: 32962665 PMCID: PMC7510127 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-020-03250-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Optimal pregnancy spacing is an important incidence in reproductive women’s health. Short or long pregnancy spacing leads to the greatest health, social and economic problems such as increase in maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study is to assess the mean of pregnancy spacing and associated factors of pregnancy spacing among women of reproductive age group with recurrent event analysis. Methods The fertility history of 1350 women aged 15–49 years was collected in this cross-sectional study. The women were selected through multistage random sampling method from a list of clinics in 2018. Some predictors were collected from their records and others were collected by face-to-face interview. The recurrent event survival analysis was used to explore the effect of predictors on pregnancy spacing. The R software program was used for analysis. Results There were nine predictors that had significant effect on pregnancy spacing. These predictors included the age of mother at marriage, mother’s BMI, contraception use, breast feeding duration of the previous child, the education level of husband, the sex preference of the mother, presence of abortion or stillbirth in the preceding pregnancies, income sufficiency, and mother’s awareness of optimum pregnancy interval. The most influential predictors; contraception use (HR = 2.34, 95%CI = 1.23 to 2.76, P < 0.001) and income sufficiency (HR = 2.046, 95%CI = 1.61 to 3.02, P = 0.018) lead to longer and son preference of mother (HR = 2.231, 95%CI = 1.24 to 2.81, P = 0.023) lead to shorter pregnancy spacing. Conclusion The up to date contraception tool should be at hand for couples to manage their pregnancy intervals. The unfavorable economic situation of a family leads to long pregnancy spacing. Despite the relative equality of the status of girls and boys in today’s societies, the desire to have a son child is still an important factor in shorter pregnancy spacing. The benefit of optimal pregnancy spacing should be more announced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Dehesh
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Elaheh Salarpour
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Neda Malekmohammadi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sepideh Arjomand Kermani
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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18
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Elhakham D, Wainstock T, Sheiner E, Sergienko R, Pariente G. Inter-pregnancy interval and long-term neurological morbidity of the offspring. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2020; 303:703-708. [PMID: 32935142 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-020-05788-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of IPI on long-term neurological morbidity of the offspring. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, 144,397 singleton infants born to multiparous mothers, between the years 1991 and 2014 in a tertiary medical center, were evaluated for different perinatal outcomes and were followed until 18 years of age for long-term neurological morbidity according to three IPI groups: Short IPI (< 6 months), long IPI (> 60 months) and intermediate IPI (6-60 months). We used a Kaplan-Meier survival curve to compare cumulative incidence of long-term neurological morbidity, and a Cox regression analysis to control for confounders such as gestational age, birth weight and maternal age. RESULTS Offspring born to mothers with long IPI had higher rates of neurological morbidity (3.62% among offspring born after long IPI vs. 3.18% and 3.19% among offspring born after short and intermediate IPI, respectively, p = 0.041). The cumulative incidence of long-term neurological morbidity was significantly higher in the long IPI group (Kaplan-Meier log-rank test p < 0.001). Being born after a long IPI was found to be an independent risk factor for long-term neurological morbidity of the offspring (adjusted hazard ratio 1.2; 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.4; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Long IPI is independently associated with an increased risk of long-term neurological morbidity of the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Elhakham
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Joyce & Irving Goldman Medical School at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Tamar Wainstock
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Services Evaluation, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Eyal Sheiner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O Box 151, 84101, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
| | - Ruslan Sergienko
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Services Evaluation, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Gali Pariente
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O Box 151, 84101, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Aychiluhm SB, Tadesse AW, Mare KU, Abdu M, Ketema A. A multilevel analysis of short birth interval and its determinants among reproductive age women in developing regions of Ethiopia. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237602. [PMID: 32845940 PMCID: PMC7449410 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Short Birth Interval negatively affects the health of both mothers and children in developing nations, like, Ethiopia. However, studies conducted to date in Ethiopia upon short birth interval were inconclusive and they did not show the extent and determinants of short birth interval in developing (Afar, Somali, Gambella, and Benishangul-Gumuz) regions of the country. Thus, this study was intended to assess the short birth interval and its determinants in the four developing regions of the country. METHODS Data were retrieved from the Demographic and Health Survey program official database website (http://dhsprogram.com). A sample of 2683 women of childbearing age group (15-49) who had at least two alive consecutive children in the four developing regions of Ethiopia was included in this study. A multilevel multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify the independent predictors of short birth interval and Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) was used during the model selection procedure. RESULTS In this study, the prevalence of short birth interval was 46% [95% CI; 43.7%, 47.9%]. The multilevel multivariable logistic regression model showed women living in rural area [AOR = 1.52, CI: 1.12, 2.05], women attended secondary education and above level [AOR = 0.27, CI: 0.05, 0.54], have no media exposure [AOR = 1.35, CI: 1.18, 1.56], female sex of the index child [AOR = 1.13, CI:1.07,1.20], breastfeeding duration [AOR = 0.79, CI: 0.77, 0.82], having six and more ideal number of children [AOR = 1.14, CI: 1.09, 1.20] and having preferred waiting time to birth two years and above [AOR = 0.86, CI: 0.78, 0.95] were the predictors of short birth interval. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of short birth intervals in the developing regions of Ethiopia is still high. Therefore, the government of Ethiopia should work on the access of family planning and education in rural parts of the developing regions where more than 90% of the population in these regions is pastoral.
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Affiliation(s)
- Setognal Birara Aychiluhm
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Abay Woday Tadesse
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
| | - Kusse Urmale Mare
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
| | - Mohammed Abdu
- Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
| | - Abdusemed Ketema
- Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
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20
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Hormonal contraceptives and autism epidemics. Med Hypotheses 2020; 141:109729. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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21
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The effect of an educational video on long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) utilization at 6-8 weeks postpartum period: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2020; 302:1503-1509. [PMID: 32734413 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-020-05710-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Long-acting reversible contraception is highly effective in preventing unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion. An educational video administered during early postpartum period might be an effective tool to improve postpartum LARC use. The objectives were to evaluate whether a postpartum educational video about LARC could increase postpartum LARC utilization at 6-8 weeks postpartum and to assess why postpartum women did not receive LARC. METHODS This randomized-controlled trial was conducted at the postpartum unit of a university Hospital between August 2016 and February 2017. Postpartum women who were aged > 20 years and willing to participate were recruited. Participants allocated to the study group watched the 7-min educational video on LARC methods while the control group did not. To assess LARC utilization, data were collected at 6-8 weeks postpartum using telephone calls and/or medical record review to determine postpartum contraception use and reasons for not using LARC. RESULTS Two-hundred and seventy participants were enrolled, and the video (135) and non-video (135) groups had similar baseline characteristics. In the video group, 57.8% (95% CI 49.0-66.2) reported using a LARC method, compared to 25.9% (95% CI 18.8-34.2) in the non-video group (p < 0.05). The reasons for not using LARC in both groups were inconvenience of access (42.0-43.8%) and uncertainty about methods (17.0-24.6%). CONCLUSION The educational video introduced at immediate postpartum period was efficacious in increasing the utilization of LARC at 6-8 weeks postpartum. Inconvenience of access was the most common reason cited for not using LARC. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Clinicaltrials.in.th TCTR20171225001 "retrospectively registered".
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Regan AK, Arnaout A, Marinovich L, Marston C, Patino I, Kaur R, Gebremedhin A, Pereira G. Interpregnancy interval and risk of perinatal death: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG 2020; 127:1470-1479. [PMID: 32378279 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.16303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interpregnancy interval (IPI) <6 months is a potentially modifiable risk factor for adverse perinatal health outcomes. OBJECTIVE This systematic review evaluated the international literature on the risk of perinatal death associated with IPI. SEARCH STRATEGY Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts identified in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus from inception to 4 April 2019 (Prospero Registration #CRD42018092792). SELECTION CRITERIA Studies were included if they provided a description of IPI measurement and perinatal death, including stillbirth and neonatal death. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS A narrative review was performed for all included studies. Random effects meta-analysis was used to compare unadjusted odds of perinatal death associated with IPI <6 months and IPI ≥6 months. Analyses were performed by outcome of the preceding pregnancy and study location. MAIN RESULTS Of the 624 unique articles identified, 26 met the inclusion criteria. The pooled unadjusted odds ratio of perinatal death for IPI <6 months was 1.34 (95% CI 1.17-1.53) following a previous live birth, 0.85 (95% CI 0.73-0.99) following a previous miscarriage and 1.07 (95% CI 0.84-1.36) following a previous stillbirth compared with IPI ≥6 months. However, few high-income country studies reported an association after adjustment. Fewer studies evaluated the impact of long IPI on perinatal death and what evidence was available showed mixed results. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest a possible association between short IPI and risk of perinatal death following a live birth, particularly in low- to middle-income countries. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Short IPI <6 months after a live birth was associated with greater risk of perinatal death than IPI ≥6 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Regan
- School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.,School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - A Arnaout
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - L Marinovich
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - C Marston
- London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London, UK
| | - I Patino
- School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - R Kaur
- School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - A Gebremedhin
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - G Pereira
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.,Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Public Health Institute, Oslo, Norway
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23
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Backley S, Knee A, Pekow P, Markenson G, White KO, Schoen C, Chasan-Taber L. Prenatal Depression and Risk of Short Interpregnancy Interval in a Predominantly Puerto Rican Population. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2020; 29:1410-1418. [PMID: 32471325 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2019.8201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Short interpregnancy interval (IPI) is associated with risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes; however, few studies have evaluated the role of depression as a risk factor for short IPI. Puerto Rican women in the United States experience disparities in adverse birth outcomes and have the highest birth rates. Methods: We analyzed the association between prenatal depressive symptoms and IPI in Proyecto Buena Salud, a prospective cohort of predominantly Puerto Rican women in Western Massachusetts (2006-2011). Depression was measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in early, mid, and late pregnancy. We calculated follow-up time as the difference between the date of delivery of the index pregnancy and the last menstrual period of the subsequent pregnancy using medical records and billing data. We defined short IPI as ≤18 months. Results: Of 1262 eligible women, 35% (n = 440) had at least probable minor depression (EPDS scores ≥13) and 25% (n = 315) had probable major depression (EPDS scores ≥15). Participants were followed for a median of 3.7 years (interquartile range = 1.4-6.0 years) and 240 (20.6%) participants experienced a short IPI. After adjusting for risk factors, women with probable minor depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.88) and probable major depression (aOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.02-1.97) during pregnancy had increased odds of short IPI. Conclusions: Prenatal depressive symptoms were common in this Puerto Rican population and were associated with a modest increase in odds of short IPI. Further examination of the pathways through which mental health may affect IPI in vulnerable populations is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Backley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alex Knee
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Penelope Pekow
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Glenn Markenson
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katharine O White
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Corina Schoen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lisa Chasan-Taber
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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24
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Lord C, Brugha TS, Charman T, Cusack J, Dumas G, Frazier T, Jones EJH, Jones RM, Pickles A, State MW, Taylor JL, Veenstra-VanderWeele J. Autism spectrum disorder. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2020; 6:5. [PMID: 31949163 PMCID: PMC8900942 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-019-0138-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 574] [Impact Index Per Article: 143.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is a construct used to describe individuals with a specific combination of impairments in social communication and repetitive behaviours, highly restricted interests and/or sensory behaviours beginning early in life. The worldwide prevalence of autism is just under 1%, but estimates are higher in high-income countries. Although gross brain pathology is not characteristic of autism, subtle anatomical and functional differences have been observed in post-mortem, neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies. Initially, it was hoped that accurate measurement of behavioural phenotypes would lead to specific genetic subtypes, but genetic findings have mainly applied to heterogeneous groups that are not specific to autism. Psychosocial interventions in children can improve specific behaviours, such as joint attention, language and social engagement, that may affect further development and could reduce symptom severity. However, further research is necessary to identify the long-term needs of people with autism, and treatments and the mechanisms behind them that could result in improved independence and quality of life over time. Families are often the major source of support for people with autism throughout much of life and need to be considered, along with the perspectives of autistic individuals, in both research and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Lord
- Departments of Psychiatry and School of Education, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Traolach S Brugha
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Tony Charman
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Guillaume Dumas
- Institut Pasteur, UMR3571 CNRS, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Emily J H Jones
- Centre for Brain & Cognitive Development, University of London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca M Jones
- The Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Andrew Pickles
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew W State
- Department of Psychiatry, Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julie Lounds Taylor
- Department of Pediatrics and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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25
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Olds DL, Kitzman H, Anson E, Smith JA, Knudtson MD, Miller T, Cole R, Hopfer C, Conti G. Prenatal and Infancy Nurse Home Visiting Effects on Mothers: 18-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Trial. Pediatrics 2019; 144:peds.2018-3889. [PMID: 31748253 PMCID: PMC6889935 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-3889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal and infancy home-visiting by nurses is promoted as a means of improving maternal life-course, but evidence of long-term effects is limited. We hypothesized that nurse-visitation would lead to long-term reductions in public-benefit costs, maternal substance abuse and depression, and that cost-savings would be greater for mothers with initially higher psychological resources. METHODS We conducted an 18-year follow-up of 618 out of 742 low-income, primarily African-American mothers with no previous live births enrolled in an randomized clinical trial of prenatal and infancy home visiting by nurses. We compared nurse-visited and control-group women for public-benefit costs, rates of substance abuse and depression, and examined possible mediators of intervention effects. RESULTS Nurse-visited women, compared with controls, incurred $17 310 less in public benefit costs (P = .03), an effect more pronounced for women with higher psychological resources ($28 847, P = .01). These savings compare with program costs of $12 578. There were no program effects on substance abuseor depression. Nurse-visited women were more likely to be married from child age 2 through 18 (19.2% vs 14.8%, P = .04), and those with higher psychological resources had 4.64 fewer cumulative years rearing subsequent children after the birth of the first child (P = .03). Pregnancy planning was a significant mediator of program effects on public benefit costs. CONCLUSIONS Through child age 18, the program reduced public-benefit costs, an effect more pronounced for mothers with higher psychological resources and mediated by subsequent pregnancy planning. There were no effects on maternal substance abuse and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harriet Kitzman
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Elizabeth Anson
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Joyce A. Smith
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | | | - Ted Miller
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia; and
| | - Robert Cole
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Christian Hopfer
- Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Gabriella Conti
- Departments of Economics and Social Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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26
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Zwaigenbaum L, Brian JA, Ip A. Le dépistage précoce du trouble du spectre de l’autisme chez les jeunes enfants. Paediatr Child Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxz120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
RésuméLe trouble du spectre de l’autisme (TSA) est un trouble neurodéveloppemental permanent qui se caractérise par des déficits de la communication sociale, un mode répétitif et restreint des comportements et des sensibilités ou des intérêts sensoriels inhabituels. Le TSA a des répercussions importantes sur la vie des enfants et de leur famille. À l’heure actuelle, sa prévalence estimative est de un cas sur 66 enfants et adolescents canadiens dans le groupe d’âge des cinq à 17 ans. Les pédiatres généraux, les médecins de famille et les autres professionnels de la santé rencontrent donc plus d’enfants ayant un TSA qu’auparavant dans leur pratique. Le diagnostic rapide de ce trouble et l’orientation des cas vers des interventions comportementales et éducationnelles intensives dès le plus jeune âge peuvent favoriser un meilleur pronostic clinique à long terme grâce à la neuroplasticité du cerveau à un plus jeune âge. Le présent docu-ment de principes contient des recommandations et des outils clairs, détaillés et fondés sur des données probantes pour aider les pédiatres communautaires et les autres dispensateurs de soins de première ligne à surveiller les tout premiers signes de TSA, ce qui constitue une étape importante vers un diagnostic précis et une évaluation détaillée des besoins pour planifier les interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Société canadienne de pédiatrie, groupe de travail des directives sur le trouble du spectre de l’autisme, Ottawa (Ontario)
| | - Jessica A Brian
- Société canadienne de pédiatrie, groupe de travail des directives sur le trouble du spectre de l’autisme, Ottawa (Ontario)
| | - Angie Ip
- Société canadienne de pédiatrie, groupe de travail des directives sur le trouble du spectre de l’autisme, Ottawa (Ontario)
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27
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Zwaigenbaum L, Brian JA, Ip A. Early detection for autism spectrum disorder in young children. Paediatr Child Health 2019; 24:424-443. [PMID: 31660041 DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxz119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a life-long neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by impairments in social communication, repetitive, restricted patterns of behaviour, and unusual sensory sensitivities or interests. ASD significantly impacts the lives of children and their families. Currently, the estimated prevalence of ASD is 1 in 66 Canadians aged 5 to 17 years. General paediatricians, family physicians, and other health care professionals are, therefore, seeing more children with ASD in their practices. The timely diagnosis of ASD, and referral for intensive behavioural and educational interventions at the earliest age possible, may lead to better long-term outcomes by capitalizing on the brain's neuroplasticity at younger ages. This statement provides clear, comprehensive, evidence-informed recommendations and tools to help community paediatricians and other primary care providers monitor for the earliest signs of ASD-an important step toward an accurate diagnosis and comprehensive needs assessment for intervention planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lonnie Zwaigenbaum
- Canadian Paediatric Society, Autism Spectrum Disorder Guidelines Task Force, Ottawa, Ontario
| | - Jessica A Brian
- Canadian Paediatric Society, Autism Spectrum Disorder Guidelines Task Force, Ottawa, Ontario
| | - Angie Ip
- Canadian Paediatric Society, Autism Spectrum Disorder Guidelines Task Force, Ottawa, Ontario
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28
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Abstract
Interpregnancy care aims to maximize a woman's level of wellness not just in between pregnancies and during subsequent pregnancies, but also along her life course. Because the interpregnancy period is a continuum for overall health and wellness, all women of reproductive age who have been pregnant regardless of the outcome of their pregnancies (ie, miscarriage, abortion, preterm, full-term delivery), should receive interpregnancy care as a continuum from postpartum care. The initial components of interpregnancy care should include the components of postpartum care, such as reproductive life planning, screening for depression, vaccination, managing diabetes or hypertension if needed, education about future health, assisting the patient to develop a postpartum care team, and making plans for long-term medical care. In women with chronic medical conditions, interpregnancy care provides an opportunity to optimize health before a subsequent pregnancy. For women who will not have any future pregnancies, the period after pregnancy also affords an opportunity for secondary prevention and improvement of future health.
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29
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Stevens E, Dixon DR, Novack MN, Granpeesheh D, Smith T, Linstead E. Identification and analysis of behavioral phenotypes in autism spectrum disorder via unsupervised machine learning. Int J Med Inform 2019; 129:29-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Stevens
- Chapman University, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Orange, CA, United States
| | - Dennis R Dixon
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Woodland Hills, CA, United States
| | - Marlena N Novack
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Woodland Hills, CA, United States
| | - Doreen Granpeesheh
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Woodland Hills, CA, United States
| | - Tristram Smith
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Erik Linstead
- Chapman University, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Orange, CA, United States.
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30
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Gebrehiwot SW, Abera G, Tesfay K, Tilahun W. Short birth interval and associated factors among women of child bearing age in northern Ethiopia, 2016. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2019; 19:85. [PMID: 31266479 PMCID: PMC6604155 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-019-0776-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Short birth interval is known to have a negative effect on perinatal, neonatal and child health outcomes. In Ethiopia, 29% of births are short birth intervals at less than 24 months. Even though optimum birth spacing is considered as an essential factor for the health of women and their children, to the best of the authors’ knowledge studies conducted on short birth interval are insufficient to inform policy makers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess short birth interval and associated factors among women of child bearing age in Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Tselemti district among women of child bearing age from January 28 to February 28, 2016. Systematic sampling technique was used to select participants. Data were collected through face to face interviews and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Odds ratio along with 95% CI was computed to ascertain association between the outcome and predictor variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered as cut off point to assess significance of associations in the multivariable analysis. Results The overall prevalence of short birth interval among women of child bearing age was 187 (23.3%). Sub-optimum breastfeeding (AOR = 7.01; 95% CI: 3.64, 13.46), non-use of contraceptive (AOR = 2.44; 95% CI: 1.55, 3.82), being Muslim (AOR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.20, 3.40) and not having desire to had the last child (AOR = 3.63; 95% CI: 2.23, 5.91) were factors associated with short birth interval. Conclusion Even though currently coverage of family planning use has increased, this study showed that short birth interval is still a concern for Ethiopian women due to factors such as: religion, suboptimum breastfeeding, unwanted pregnancy and non-use of contraceptives. Improving the accessibility and coverage of contraceptive use and involvement of religious leaders in family planning programs are essential strategies to be considered. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12905-019-0776-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gedamu Abera
- School of Nursing, College of Health Science, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
| | - Kidist Tesfay
- School of Nursing, College of Health Science, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
| | - Weyzer Tilahun
- School of Nursing, College of Health Science, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
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31
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Louis JM, Bryant A, Ramos D, Stuebe A, Blackwell SC, Stuebe A, Blackwell SC. Interpregnancy Care. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019; 220:B2-B18. [PMID: 30579872 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2018.11.1098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Interpregnancy care aims to maximize a woman's level of wellness not just in between pregnancies and during subsequent pregnancies, but also along her life course. Because the interpregnancy period is a continuum for overall health and wellness, all women of reproductive age who have been pregnant regardless of the outcome of their pregnancies (ie, miscarriage, abortion, preterm, full-term delivery), should receive interpregnancy care as a continuum from postpartum care. The initial components of interpregnancy care should include the components of postpartum care, such as reproductive life planning, screening for depression, vaccination, managing diabetes or hypertension if needed, education about future health, assisting the patient to develop a postpartum care team, and making plans for long-term medical care. In women with chronic medical conditions, interpregnancy care provides an opportunity to optimize health before a subsequent pregnancy. For women who will not have any future pregnancies, the period after pregnancy also affords an opportunity for secondary prevention and improvement of future health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Alison Stuebe
- Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, 409 12 St. SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA.
| | - Sean C Blackwell
- Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, 409 12 St. SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA.
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32
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Coo H, Brownell MD, Ruth C, Flavin M, Au W, Day AG. Interpregnancy Intervals in a Contemporary Manitoba Cohort: Prevalence of So-Called Suboptimal Intervals and Associated Maternal Characteristics. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2018; 40:1024-1030. [PMID: 30103875 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Short and long interpregnancy intervals (IPIs) have been associated with various adverse outcomes, and a 2016 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee Opinion recommends an optimal IPI of 18 months to 5 years. Descriptive data on the IPI in Canada are lacking. The objective of this study was to examine IPIs in a Manitoba cohort. METHODS The study analyzed a subset of records from a larger dataset used to examine the IPI and adverse perinatal outcomes. For that study, Manitoba's Hospital Abstracts data were searched to identify births from 1985 to 2014. Each two consecutive live births to the same mother formed a sibling pair. The IPI was calculated as the interval between the two siblings' births, minus the younger sibling's GA. Information on maternal characteristics was extracted from various datasets housed in the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository. The current analysis examined second and higher-order births between 2010 and 2014. The proportion of suboptimal IPIs was determined and IPIs were cross-tabulated with birth year and maternal subgroups. RESULTS More than half of pregnancies were conceived following a suboptimal interval. IPIs of less than 6 months - which have been associated with the highest risk of adverse outcomes - were more prevalent among certain subgroups. These included younger women as well as women who received inadequate prenatal care, smoked or drank alcohol during pregnancy, were low income, or did not graduate from high school. CONCLUSION Suboptimal IPIs were common in this Manitoba cohort. Stakeholders should consider whether greater efforts to promote appropriate birth spacing are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Coo
- Department of Pediatrics, Queen's University, Kingston, ON.
| | - Marni D Brownell
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB; Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Winnipeg, MB
| | - Chelsea Ruth
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Winnipeg, MB; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
| | - Michael Flavin
- Department of Pediatrics, Queen's University, Kingston, ON
| | - Wendy Au
- Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Winnipeg, MB
| | - Andrew G Day
- Kingston General Health Research Institute, Kingston, ON
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33
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Jere M. Adolescent fertility rates in a rural community in north-western Zambia: a retrospective study. Trop Doct 2018; 48:213-217. [DOI: 10.1177/0049475518776821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Adolescent fertility rate is defined as the number of births per 1000 in women aged 15–19 years. These rates are highest in sub-Saharan Africa. National data from Zambia suggest the rate has declined from 179.6 in 1960 to 87.9 in 2015. A retrospective study was performed at Chitokoloki Mission Hospital using the hospital delivery registers during January 2008 to December 2015. In this period, 945 (20.81%) births were to adolescent mothers. As morbidity is significant in this vulnerable group, strategies to reduce pregnancy rates among these young girls is much-needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mwansa Jere
- Chitokoloki Mission Hospital, Chitokoloki via Zambezi, North Western Province Zambia
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34
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Hertz-Picciotto I, Schmidt RJ, Krakowiak P. Understanding environmental contributions to autism: Causal concepts and the state of science. Autism Res 2018; 11:554-586. [PMID: 29573218 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The complexity of neurodevelopment, the rapidity of early neurogenesis, and over 100 years of research identifying environmental influences on neurodevelopment serve as backdrop to understanding factors that influence risk and severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This Keynote Lecture, delivered at the May 2016 annual meeting of the International Society for Autism Research, describes concepts of causation, outlines the trajectory of research on nongenetic factors beginning in the 1960s, and briefly reviews the current state of this science. Causal concepts are introduced, including root causes; pitfalls in interpreting time trends as clues to etiologic factors; susceptible time windows for exposure; and implications of a multi-factorial model of ASD. An historical background presents early research into the origins of ASD. The epidemiologic literature from the last fifteen years is briefly but critically reviewed for potential roles of, for example, air pollution, pesticides, plastics, prenatal vitamins, lifestyle and family factors, and maternal obstetric and metabolic conditions during her pregnancy. Three examples from the case-control CHildhood Autism Risks from Genes and the Environment Study are probed to illustrate methodological approaches to central challenges in observational studies: capturing environmental exposure; causal inference when a randomized controlled clinical trial is either unethical or infeasible; and the integration of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences on development. We conclude with reflections on future directions, including exposomics, new technologies, the microbiome, gene-by-environment interaction in the era of -omics, and epigenetics as the interface of those two. As the environment is malleable, this research advances the goal of a productive and fulfilling life for all children, teen-agers and adults. Autism Res 2018, 11: 554-586. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY This Keynote Lecture, delivered at the 2016 meeting of the International Society for Autism Research, discusses evidence from human epidemiologic studies of prenatal factors contributing to autism, such as pesticides, maternal nutrition and her health. There is no single cause for autism. Examples highlight the features of a high-quality epidemiology study, and what comprises a compelling case for causation. Emergent research directions hold promise for identifying potential interventions to reduce disabilities, enhance giftedness, and improve lives of those with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, MIND Institute (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders), University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences, MIND Institute (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders), University of California, Davis, Davis, California
| | - Paula Krakowiak
- Department of Public Health Sciences, MIND Institute (Medical Investigations of Neurodevelopmental Disorders), University of California, Davis, Davis, California
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Schieve LA, Tian LH, Drews-Botsch C, Windham GC, Newschaffer C, Daniels JL, Lee LC, Croen LA, Danielle Fallin M. Autism spectrum disorder and birth spacing: Findings from the study to explore early development (SEED). Autism Res 2018; 11:81-94. [PMID: 29164825 PMCID: PMC5773391 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and birth spacing had limitations; few examined phenotypic case subtypes or explored underlying mechanisms for associations and none assessed whether other (non-ASD) developmental disabilities (DDs) were associated with birth spacing. We assessed associations between inter-pregnancy interval (IPI) and both ASD and other DDs using data from the Study to Explore Early Development, a multi-site case-control study with rigorous case-finding and case-classification methods and detailed data collection on maternal reproductive history. Our sample included 356 ASD cases, 627 DD cases, and 524 population (POP) controls born in second or later births. ASD and DD cases were further sub-divided according to whether the child had intellectual disability (ID). ASD cases were also sub-divided by ASD symptom severity, and DD cases were subdivided by presence of some ASD symptoms (indicated on an autism screener). Odds ratios, adjusted for maternal-child sociodemographic factors, (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals were derived from logistic regression models. Among term births, ASD was associated with both IPI <18 months (aOR 1.5 [1.1-2.2]) and ≥60 months (1.5 [0.99-2.4]). Both short and long IPI associations were stronger among ASD cases with high severity scores (aORs 2.0 [1.3-3.3] and 1.8 [0.99-3.2], respectively). Associations were unchanged after adding several factors potentially related to the causal pathway to regression models. DD was not associated with either short or long IPI-overall, among term births, or in any subgroup examined. These findings extend those from previous studies and further inform recommendations on optimal pregnancy spacing. Autism Res 2018, 11: 81-94. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY We investigated whether the amount of time between pregnancies was associated autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental disabilities (DD) in children. ASD was increased in second and later-born children who were conceived less than 18 months or 60 or more months after the mother's previous birth. Other DDs were not associated with birth spacing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Schieve
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Lin H Tian
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | | | | | - Craig Newschaffer
- Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Julie L Daniels
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Li-Ching Lee
- Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, Oakland, CA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - M Danielle Fallin
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
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Schieve LA, Drews-Botsch C, Harris S, Newschaffer C, Daniels J, DiGuiseppi C, Croen LA, Windham GC. Maternal and Paternal Infertility Disorders and Treatments and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Findings from the Study to Explore Early Development. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:3994-4005. [PMID: 28900768 PMCID: PMC5804352 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3283-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies of associations between ASD and conception using assisted reproductive technology (ART) are inconsistent and few studies have examined associations with other infertility treatments or infertility disorders. We examined associations between ASD and maternal/paternal infertility disorders and numerous maternal treatments among 1538 mother-child pairs in the Study to Explore Early Development, a population-based case-control study. ASD was associated with any female infertility diagnosis and several specific diagnoses: blocked tubes, endometriosis, uterine-factor infertility, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Stratified analyses suggested associations were limited to/much stronger among second or later births. The findings were not explained by sociodemographic factors such as maternal age or education or multiple or preterm birth. ASD was not associated with ART or non-ART infertility treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Schieve
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-86, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA.
| | | | - Shericka Harris
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop E-86, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - Craig Newschaffer
- Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Julie Daniels
- Gillings Scholl of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Carolyn DiGuiseppi
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | | | - Gayle C Windham
- California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA, 94804, USA
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Modabbernia A, Velthorst E, Reichenberg A. Environmental risk factors for autism: an evidence-based review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Mol Autism 2017; 8:13. [PMID: 28331572 PMCID: PMC5356236 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0121-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 412] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to recent evidence, up to 40-50% of variance in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) liability might be determined by environmental factors. In the present paper, we conducted a review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of environmental risk factors for ASD. We assessed each review for quality of evidence and provided a brief overview of putative mechanisms of environmental risk factors for ASD. FINDINGS Current evidence suggests that several environmental factors including vaccination, maternal smoking, thimerosal exposure, and most likely assisted reproductive technologies are unrelated to risk of ASD. On the contrary, advanced parental age is associated with higher risk of ASD. Birth complications that are associated with trauma or ischemia and hypoxia have also shown strong links to ASD, whereas other pregnancy-related factors such as maternal obesity, maternal diabetes, and caesarian section have shown a less strong (but significant) association with risk of ASD. The reviews on nutritional elements have been inconclusive about the detrimental effects of deficiency in folic acid and omega 3, but vitamin D seems to be deficient in patients with ASD. The studies on toxic elements have been largely limited by their design, but there is enough evidence for the association between some heavy metals (most important inorganic mercury and lead) and ASD that warrants further investigation. Mechanisms of the association between environmental factors and ASD are debated but might include non-causative association (including confounding), gene-related effect, oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia/ischemia, endocrine disruption, neurotransmitter alterations, and interference with signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS Compared to genetic studies of ASD, studies of environmental risk factors are in their infancy and have significant methodological limitations. Future studies of ASD risk factors would benefit from a developmental psychopathology approach, prospective design, precise exposure measurement, reliable timing of exposure in relation to critical developmental periods and should take into account the dynamic interplay between gene and environment by using genetically informed designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Modabbernia
- Department of Psychiatry and Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Eva Velthorst
- Department of Psychiatry and Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Abraham Reichenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
- Seaver Autism Center, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
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Ornoy A, Weinstein-Fudim L, Ergaz Z. Genetic Syndromes, Maternal Diseases and Antenatal Factors Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Front Neurosci 2016; 10:316. [PMID: 27458336 PMCID: PMC4933715 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affecting about 1% of all children is associated, in addition to complex genetic factors, with a variety of prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal etiologies. In addition, ASD is often an important clinical presentation of some well-known genetic syndromes in human. We discuss these syndromes as well as the role of the more important prenatal factors affecting the fetus throughout pregnancy which may also be associated with ASD. Among the genetic disorders we find Fragile X, Rett syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Timothy syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Hamartoma tumor syndrome, Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes, and a few others. Among the maternal diseases in pregnancy associated with ASD are diabetes mellitus (PGDM and/or GDM), some maternal autoimmune diseases like antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) with anti-β2GP1 IgG antibodies and thyroid disease with anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, preeclampsia and some other autoimmune diseases with IgG antibodies that might affect fetal brain development. Other related factors are maternal infections (rubella and CMV with fetal brain injuries, and possibly Influenza with fever), prolonged fever and maternal inflammation, especially with changes in a variety of inflammatory cytokines and antibodies that cross the placenta and affect the fetal brain. Among the drugs are valproic acid, thalidomide, misoprostol, and possibly SSRIs. β2-adrenergic receptor agonists and paracetamol have also lately been associated with increased rate of ASD but the data is too preliminary and inconclusive. Associations were also described with ethanol, cocaine, and possibly heavy metals, heavy smoking, and folic acid deficiency. Recent studies show that heavy exposure to pesticides and air pollution, especially particulate matter < 2.5 and 10 μm in diameter (PM2.5 and PM10) during pregnancy is also associated with ASD. Finally, we have to remember that many of the associations mentioned in this review are only partially proven, and not all are "clean" of different confounding factors. The associations described in this review emphasize again how little we know about the etiology and pathogenesis of ASD. It is obvious that we need more epidemiologic data to establish many of these associations, but if proven, they might be promising avenues for prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asher Ornoy
- Laboratory of Teratology, Department of Medical Neurobiology, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Liza Weinstein-Fudim
- Laboratory of Teratology, Department of Medical Neurobiology, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Zivanit Ergaz
- Laboratory of Teratology, Department of Medical Neurobiology, Hadassah Medical School, Hebrew UniversityJerusalem, Israel; Department of Neonatology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalem, Israel
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