A Preliminary Investigation of Prenatal Stress and Risk Factors of Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study was a retrospective survey investigating the association between prenatal stress and risk factors of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in a Chinese population. Twenty-eight mothers of children diagnosed with ASD, and thirty-eight mothers of children with no diagnoses of neurodevelopmental diseases were interviewed. The survey analyzed the incidence and intensity of prenatal stress, birth conditions and developmental problems of children, maternal health conditions, and the participants' coping strategies towards prenatal stress. Higher overall prenatal stress intensity and incidence were found to be experienced by mothers of ASD children. Mothers with ASD children also showed higher incidence of premature deliveries, birth complications, health problems, maternal illnesses, advanced maternal age, and other developmental problems with their children.