Risk factors in autism spectrum disorder: A Tunisian case-control study

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that causes disability in social interaction, communication, and restrictive and repetitive behaviors. Common environmental factors like prenatal, perinatal, and/or postnatal factors play a key role in ASD etiologies. Moreover, specific metabolic disorders can be associated with ASD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective case-control study in child psychiatry clinics, involving 51 children with ASD and 40 typical development controls (TDC). RESULTS: We found a correlation between children being breastfed for less than 6 months, having fathers more than 40 years old at childbirth in ASD compared to TDC group. Our study also associated low blood cholesterol and low erythrocyte magnesium levels with increased risk for ASD. CONCLUSION: Findings support the implication of total cholesterol (TC) and erythrocyte magnesium level in defining autism outcome.