Maternal Prenatal Supplements Intake and Dietary Sources and Their Relation to Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Population of Bangladesh.

Abstract

Studies on maternal prenatal supplements intake and sources of dietary factors related to the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are in their infancy, especially in developing countries like Bangladesh. An observational case-control study in Bangladesh delved into the potential connections between prenatal nutrition and the likelihood of ASD. Parents of 310 ASD cases and 310 healthy controls (HCs) participated, sharing insights through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. This study focused on associations with significant levels at p ≤ 0.05, employing odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to pinpoint potential risk factors. The findings offer intriguing insights as follows: consuming prenatal supplements, farmed chicken or eggs, and farmed vegetables during pregnancy and the first 3 years of life emerged as associated with a reduced likelihood of ASD compared to HCs. Interestingly, the opposite trend was observed for farmed fish and fruits during the same period, alongside maternal substance or drug misuse during pregnancy, which was linked to increased ASD odds. Additionally, higher parental socioeconomic status during pregnancy appeared to have a protective effect, whereas the male gender emerged as a significant risk factor. Considering the substantial public health and economic burden of ASD, these findings highlight potential avenues for intervention. Encouraging responsible prenatal supplement intake, discouraging maternal substance or drug misuse, and ensuring the safety of farmed fish, chicken or eggs, fruits and vegetables during pregnancy and early childhood may offer valuable tools for potentially reducing ASD risk.