The Relationship Between Maternal Chronic Disease, Infection, and Having a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between prenatal chronic diseases, infection, and autism spectrum disorder. Material and Method: Retrospective, cross-sectional and comparative research design was used. The sample was conducted with 99 mothers for the group, 44 of whom had a child with autism spectrum disorder and 55 of whom had a child with non-autism spectrum disorder. Data were collected from mothers between October 2020 and January 2021 via online methods (Facebook, Whatsapp, and Instagram). The study data was collected with a questionnaire form and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Results: It was determined that autism spectrum disorder was more common in the children of mothers with maternal diabetes (χ²= 5.196; p= 0.023) and infection (χ²= 5.331; p= 0.021). Gender, low birth weight, and twin pregnancy were also found to be risk factors for autism (p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result, the data obtained show that chronic diseases and infection of the mother in the prenatal period increase the risk of autism in the child. Therefore, in the presence of diseases such as maternal diabetes and infections, the mother and fetus should be monitored, and children with autism spectrum disorders should be detected at an early stage