First-degree relatives of young children with autism spectrum disorders: some gender aspects.

• Prenatal risk factors, with special focus on gender distribution of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions were analysed in first-degree relatives in a population-based group of young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Multiple information sources were combined. This group was contrasted with the general population regarding data from the Swedish Medical Birth register. In the ASD group, information was also obtained at parental interviews focusing on developmental and psychiatric disorders in the family. Compared to the general population, fathers of children with ASD were older and parents more often of non-European origin. Mothers of children with ASD had an increased rate of antidepressant and psychoactive medication use, and of scheduled caesarean sections. Fathers and brothers of children with ASD had high rates of ASD including the broader phenotype. Mothers of children with ASD had high rates of depression and other psychiatric disorders. These findings, hypothetically, could reflect a different ASD phenotype and difficulties diagnosing ASD in females or be an example of the close genetic relation between ASD and other psychiatric disorders. The results suggest that, in clinical and research settings, the familial background in ASD should be reviewed with a broader approach, and not be restricted to "looking out" only for diagnoses and symptoms traditionally accepted as being part of or typical of ASD. The high rate of parents of non-European origin has been noted in many Swedish studies of ASD, but the reason for this association, remains unclear.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Adult

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

Epidemiology

Psychology

Cesarean Section

Statistics & numerical data

Child Development Disorders

Pervasive

Epidemiology

Psychology

Child

Preschool

Depressive Disorder

Drug therapy

Epidemiology

Psychology

Dyslexia

Epidemiology

Psychology

Emigrants and Immigrants

Psychology

Statistics & numerical data

Family

Psychology

Family Health

Statistics & numerical data

Female

Follow-Up Studies

Humans

Infant

Intellectual Disability

Epidemiology

Psychology

Language Disorders

Epidemiology

Psychology

Male

Mental Disorders

Drug therapy

Epidemiology

Psychology

Pregnancy

Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects

Epidemiology

Psychology

Registries

Statistics & numerical data

Risk Factors

Sex Distribution

Young Adult

Autism spectrum disorders ASD

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)