Autism Spectrum Disorder and Grandmother’s Race, Ethnicity, and Nativity

Objective

This study investigated associations between offspring autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and grandmother’s race, ethnicity, and nativity.

Method

This is a statewide multigenerational California birth cohort linkage study using birth records from the California Department of Public Health and diagnostic records from the California Department of Developmental Services with primary diagnosis of autistic disorder and codes for intellectual disabilities (ID). The analytical study population includes 1,743,177 mother–child pairs of children born between 2001 and 2019 to mothers who were born between 1983 and 2001. Grandmother’s self-reported race, ethnicity, and nativity were recorded on the birth certificate. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were estimated using logistic regression.

Results

The odds of ASD among grandchildren were higher among grandmothers who were US-born Black (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.20-1.31), foreign-born Black (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.17-1.81), US-born Hispanic (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.14-1.23), and foreign-born Hispanic (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.19-1.26), but not US-born Asian Pacific Islander (API; OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.75-1.02), foreign-born API (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.88-1.00), or foreign-born White (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.82-0.99), compared to grandmothers who were US-born White. For ASD with ID, associations were stronger for grandmothers who were US- and foreign-born Black and Hispanic, and positive associations were observed for grandmothers who were foreign-born API.

Conclusion

Results suggest that the risk of ASD and ASD with ID differ by grandmother’s race, ethnicity, and nativity, with higher odds observed among grandmothers who were Black and Hispanic and with the highest risk observed among grandchildren of grandmothers who were foreign-born.

Plain language summary

This study investigates the relation between grandmothers’ race, ethnicity, and nativity and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with/out intellectual disabilities (ID) in grandchildren in California. Odds of ASD were higher among grandchildren of grandmothers who were Black and Hispanic and grandmothers who were born outside of the US. Multigenerational genetic and environmental risk factors for ASD in racially and ethnically diverse populations merit additional study.