Refuting the Association Between Assisted Reproductive Technology and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case-Control Study.

This study looked at whether fertility treatments are linked to autism. Researchers compared 319 children with autism to 319 children without autism. They found that fertility treatments were just as common in both groups (about 8-9% of children). The study found no connection between fertility treatments and autism. For parents who used or are considering fertility treatments, this research provides reassurance that these treatments don't increase autism risk.

This case-control study examined the relationship between assisted reproductive technology (ART) and autism spectrum disorder by comparing 319 children with ASD to 319 age-matched typically developing children followed from birth (2013-2020). The study found no significant association between ART use and autism diagnosis, with ART rates of 8.5% in the autism group versus 9.4% in controls. After adjusting for confounders, odds ratios were not statistically significant for ART treatment overall (aOR=0.537), hormonal treatment (aOR=0.632), or in vitro fertilization specifically (aOR=0.689). Within the autism group, ART conception did not influence gender distribution or autism severity compared to spontaneous conception.

Findings provide reassurance for families considering or having used assisted reproductive technology that these treatments do not increase autism risk. Results support counseling families that ART is not a significant risk factor for autism spectrum disorder development.

Single-center case-control design may limit generalizability. Relatively small sample size for subgroup analyses of specific ART types. Potential selection bias in control group recruitment. Limited details provided about diagnostic criteria and autism severity measures used.

In the past 2 decades, the rates of autism spectrum disorder and assisted reproductive technology have increased significantly, leading to a controversial discussion regarding their association. This study investigates the possible association between assisted reproductive technology and autism spectrum disorder using a case-control design, comparing 319 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder from 2013 to 2020 with 319 age-matched typically developing children followed prospectively from birth. The differences between assisted reproductive technology and spontaneous conception were analyzed between groups, adjusting for gender, types of assisted reproductive technology, and severity of autism. As expected, there is male predisposition in the autism group.

The rate of assisted reproductive technology use in the autism spectrum disorder group (8.5%) was not significantly different from that in typically developing children (9.4%). Within the autism spectrum disorder group, the conception via assisted reproductive technology did not substantially influence gender distribution or severity of autism in comparison to spontaneous conception. After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratio for assisted reproductive technology treatment was not statistically significant (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.537, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.110-3.383). Similarly, no significant association was found for hormonal treatment (aOR = 0.632, 95% CI 0.326-1.223) or for in vitro fertilization pregnancies (aOR = 0.689, 95% CI 0.180-2.628).

In conclusion, assisted reproductive technology was not found to be more common in children with autism spectrum disorder as compared to typically developing children and did not correlate with gender or autism severity within the autism spectrum disorder group. Our findings effectively counter the concerns regarding a significant association between assisted reproductive technology and autism and provide reassurance.