Philippine E-Journals

A case-control study of smoking and alcohol intake as preconception and prenatal risk factors for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among Filipino children

Discipline: Health

 

Abstract:

Background Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes impaired intellectual, communicative and behavioral development. Current research shows that the etiology of autism is multifactorial, consisting of both genetic and environmental factors. The objective of this study was to determine the association of exposure to preconception and prenatal risk factors, specifically smoking and alcohol intake, in developing ASD among Filipino children.

Methods Using a case-control design, this paper determined the association between smoking and alcohol exposure during the preconception and prenatal periods with the development of ASD among Filipino children. Thirty five mothers of patients with autism from the Autism Society of the Philippines, and two private schools were compared with 70 control mothers in terms of smoking and alcohol intake. Data were analyzed using odds ratios.

Results The odds ratios of having a mother who was exposed to smoking or alcohol were higher for children with ASD compared with those of controls but the difference was not statistically significant. Discussion Exposure to smoking and alcohol during the preconception and prenatal periods may be risk factors in the development of ASD among Filipino children.