Contribution of Excessive Gestational Weight Gain to the Increased Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder Occurrence in Offspring

Background: According to epidemiological studies, the number of children affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has elevated notably in recent years, which increases the importance of identifying and controlling modifiable risk factors of ASD. Aim: We aim to explore the association of maternal gestational weight gain (GWG) with the risk of ASD in offspring. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Tabriz, Iran, from October 2019 to July 2020. Data of 426 children (208 with ASD and 218 healthy) were collected using medical records and face-to-face interviews with their mothers. Results: Maternal GWG was significantly higher in the ASD group (P = .002). The percentage of inadequate (3.4% vs 0.5%) and excess (85.6% vs 56.0%) GWG was significantly higher in the ASD group (P < .001). Maternal (P < .001) and paternal (P = .004) ages were significantly lower in the ASD group compared with the healthy group. Boys were shown to be more affected by ASD than girls (P < .001). Results of multivariate regression indicated that maternal GWG [OR (95% CI): 1.10 (1.03, 1.19), P = .005], gestational age [OR (95% CI): 1.21 (1.05, 1.41), P= .009], maternal age [OR (95% CI): 0.82 (0.73, 0.91), P < .001], child male sex [OR (95% CI): 3.82 (2.31, 6.30), P < .001], and low education of father [OR (95% CI): 4.96 (1.56, 15.72), P = .006] were independently associated with increased risk of ASD. Conclusion: The results indicate that maternal excessive GWG, maternal and gestational age, parental low education level, and male sex of infant may independently increase the risk of ASD in offspring.