Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis by Birth Weight, Gestational Age, and Size for Gestational Age: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Xinxiang Medical University published a study in European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, aiming to comprehensively review the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis by birth weight, gestational age, and size for gestational age. The study pooled data from 75 studies, including over 8.3 million individuals, and found significant associations between ASD diagnosis and low-birth weight, preterm birth, and small-for-gestational-age births. However, the findings were interpreted with caution due to between-study heterogeneity and limited information on confounders.

Key Takeaways:

  • The systematic review and meta-analysis included 75 studies, involving over 8.3 million individuals, and pooled data to estimate the prevalence of ASD diagnosis by birth weight, gestational age, and size for gestational age.
  • The pooled prevalence estimates of ASD diagnosis were as follows:

+ Very-low-birth weight: 3.1% (912 ASD/66,445 individuals)

+ Low-birth weight: 2.3% (5672 ASD/593,927 individuals)

+ Normal-birth weight: 0.5% (17,361 ASD/2,378,933 individuals)

+ High-birth weight: 0.6% (4505 ASD/430,699 individuals)

+ Very preterm: 2.8% (2113 ASD/128,513 individuals)

+ Preterm: 2.1% (19,672 ASD/1,725,244 individuals)

+ Term: 0.6% (113,261 ASD/15,297,259 individuals)

+ Postterm: 0.6% (9419 ASD/1,138,215 individuals)

+ Small-for-gestational-age: 1.9% (6314 ASD/796,550 individuals)

+ Appropriate-for-gestational-age: 0.7% (21,026 ASD/5,936,704 individuals)

+ Large-for-gestational-age: 0.6% (2607 ASD/635,666 individuals)

  • Significant associations were found between ASD diagnosis and low-birth weight (especially very-low-birth weight), preterm birth (especially very preterm), and small-for-gestational-age births.
  • However, the findings were interpreted with caution due to between-study heterogeneity and limited information on confounders.

Statistics:

  • Prevalence of ASD diagnosis in very-low-birth weight individuals: 3.1% (912 ASD/66,445 individuals)
  • Prevalence of ASD diagnosis in low-birth weight individuals: 2.3% (5672 ASD/593,927 individuals)
  • Prevalence of ASD diagnosis in normal-birth weight individuals: 0.5% (17,361 ASD/2,378,933 individuals)
  • Prevalence of ASD diagnosis in very preterm individuals: 2.8% (2113 ASD/128,513 individuals)
  • Between-study heterogeneity in most conditions: significant
  • Number of countries represented in included studies: relatively small (e.g., China, USA, Europe)

Sources:

  • Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis By Birth Weight, Gestational Age, and Size for Gestational Age: a Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-regression. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2024; 33(7): 2035-2049.
  • Xinxiang Medical University. Reports from Xinxiang Medical University Describe Recent Advances in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis By Birth Weight, Gestational Age, and Size for Gestational Age: a Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, ...). Mental Health Weekly Digest. August 19, 2024; p 615.