Context: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of conditions characterized by impaired social function and repetitive behaviors. Their etiology is largely unknown.
Objective: This work aims to examine the associations of maternal second-trimester and cord blood leptin and adiponectin levels with ASDs in offspring.
Methods: We used data from 1164 mother-child pairs enrolled in Project Viva, a prospective prebirth cohort. We used logistic regression analysis to examine the associations of leptin and adiponectin levels in maternal second-trimester blood and cord blood obtained at birth with ASDs. Additionally, we examined the association of maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) as an exposure. Main outcome measures included doctor-diagnosed ASDs reported by mothers using questionnaires in midchildhood and early adolescence.
Results: The cumulative incidence of ASDs was 3.4%. Maternal prepregnancy BMI (per 5 points) was positively associated with ASDs in a logistic regression model adjusted for maternal race/ethnicity, education, smoking status and child sex (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.38; 95% CI, 1.06-1.79). Higher second-trimester adiponectin was associated with lower odds of ASD in offspring (unadjusted OR 0.49; 95% CI, 0.30-0.78; and OR 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32-0.91 after adjusting for maternal race/ethnicity, education, child sex, OR 0.55; 95% CI, 0.33-0.93 after adjusting for BMI, gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, and smoking status). Maternal leptin and cord blood leptin and adiponectin levels were not associated with ASDs.
Conclusion: Prepregnancy BMI and adiponectin during pregnancy may be useful as a tool to monitor the risk of autism. Increasing adiponectin levels prenatally may play a role in the prevention of ASDs.
Keywords: BMI; adiponectin; autism spectrum disorder; leptin; pregnancy.
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