Maternal Anemia and Its Relationship with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Aim: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Its etiology involves multiple genetic and environmental factors. This study investigates the possible association between maternal anemia during pregnancy and the later diagnosis of ASD in the child. Method: This retrospective case-control study included 46 children diagnosed with ASD and 136 age- and sex-matched healthy controls in Nevşehir, Türkiye. Maternal blood values and pregnancy-related data were collected through structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 software. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the case and control groups regarding maternal hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, and MCHC levels (p>0.05). The prevalence of anemia was lower in the ASD group but not statistically significant (OR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.4–1.4). Conclusion: No significant association was found between maternal anemia and ASD diagnosis. Limitations such as missing data, lack of information on anemia type and timing, and supplement use during pregnancy may have influenced the results. Further cohort studies with larger sample sizes and detailed biochemical analysis are recommended.

Keywords

• anemia
• Autism spectrum disorder
• neurodevelopment
• pregnancy

Maternal Anemi ile Otizm Spektrum İlişkisi

Abstract

Amaç: Otizm spektrum bozukluğu (OSB), sosyal etkileşim, iletişim ve davranışlarda sınırlılıkla karakterize edilen nörogelişimsel bir bozukluktur. OSB'nin etiyolojisi çok faktörlüdür; genetik, çevresel ve prenatal etmenlerin rol oynadığı bilinmektedir. Bu çalışmada, gebelik döneminde görülen maternal aneminin çocukta OSB gelişimiyle ilişkisi araştırılmıştır. Yöntem: Bu retrospektif vaka-kontrol çalışmasında, Nevşehir ilinde özel eğitim alan 46 OSB tanılı çocuk ile yaş ve cinsiyet açısından eşleştirilmiş 136 sağlıklı çocuk incelenmiştir. Annelere ait gebelik dönemi kan değerleri, sağlık geçmişi ve demografik veriler anket yoluyla toplanmış ve istatistiksel analizler IBM SPSS Statistics 25 programı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bulgular: Yapılan analizlerde, anneye ait hemoglobin, hematokrit, MCV ve MCHC değerleri ile çocukta OSB tanısı arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır (p>0.05). Anemi sıklığı OSB grubunda daha düşük olmakla birlikte, istatistiksel olarak anlamlı değildir (OR: 0.7; %95 GA: 0.4–1.4). Sonuç: Maternal anemi ile otizm arasında doğrudan bir ilişki saptanmamıştır. Ancak eksik veri kaydı, aneminin tipi ve zamanlamasına dair detayların eksikliği çalışmanın sınırlılıkları arasındadır. Daha geniş örneklemli, prospektif ve biyokimyasal verilerin ayrıntılı değerlendirildiği çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

Keywords

• anemi
• otizm spektrum bozukluğu
• nörogelişim
• gebelik

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