Abstract
Prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke is suggested as a potential risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous epidemiological
studies of this topic have yielded mixed findings. We performed a case–control study of 3,958 ASD cases and 38,983 controls
nested in a large register-based cohort in Sweden. ASD case status was measured using a multisource case ascertainment system.
In adjusted results, we found that maternal smoking during pregnancy is not associated with increased risk of ASD regardless
of presence or absence of comorbid intellectual disability. Apparent associations were attributable to confounding by sociodemographic
characteristics of parents such as education, income, and occupation.
studies of this topic have yielded mixed findings. We performed a case–control study of 3,958 ASD cases and 38,983 controls
nested in a large register-based cohort in Sweden. ASD case status was measured using a multisource case ascertainment system.
In adjusted results, we found that maternal smoking during pregnancy is not associated with increased risk of ASD regardless
of presence or absence of comorbid intellectual disability. Apparent associations were attributable to confounding by sociodemographic
characteristics of parents such as education, income, and occupation.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Brief Report
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1425-4
- Authors
- Brian K. Lee, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Renee M. Gardner, Division of Metals and Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Henrik Dal, Division of Public Health Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Anna Svensson, Division of Public Health Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Maria Rosaria Galanti, Department of Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology Unit at the Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Dheeraj Rai, Academic Unit of Psychiatry, School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Christina Dalman, Division of Public Health Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Cecilia Magnusson, Division of Public Health Epidemiology, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257