Factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a case-control study in the Lebanese population

Background: Genetic factors represent the major etiological contributor in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) but several studies also support the involvement of environmental factors. This last hypothesis is reinforced by the evident increase in the prevalence of this disorder in the last decades. Thu...

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Main Authors: Tania Bitar, Perla Gerges, Maria-Cristina Kassab, Souheil Hallit, Hanna Mattar, Michel Soufia, Christian R. Andres, Walid Hleihel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Milano University Press 2020-06-01
Series:Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health
Online Access:https://ebph.it/article/view/13218
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author Tania Bitar
Perla Gerges
Maria-Cristina Kassab
Souheil Hallit
Hanna Mattar
Michel Soufia
Christian R. Andres
Walid Hleihel
author_facet Tania Bitar
Perla Gerges
Maria-Cristina Kassab
Souheil Hallit
Hanna Mattar
Michel Soufia
Christian R. Andres
Walid Hleihel
author_sort Tania Bitar
collection DOAJ
description Background: Genetic factors represent the major etiological contributor in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) but several studies also support the involvement of environmental factors. This last hypothesis is reinforced by the evident increase in the prevalence of this disorder in the last decades. Thus, in our study, we aimed to identify the correlation between factors related to sociodemographic elements, to child and mother’s health and ASD in order to dress a best detailed profile of the patients. Methods: We conducted a case-control study including 64 Lebanese patients with ASD and 67 matched controls recruited from all the Lebanese districts. Our data has been analyzed by SPSS 23.0 and the statistical tests carried out were the Independent Sample t-test and the Chi-Square test. In addition, a multivariate logistic regression analysis has been carried out using variables that showed a p<0.05 in the bivariate analysis. Results: Our findings suggest that consanguinity (OR=4; 95% CI [1.3-12.04]), familial history of ASD (6.7 [1.1- 39.3]), stress during pregnancy (3.6 [1.5 8.2]) and fetal prematurity (6.3 [1.2-33.01]) were significantly associated with increased odds of ASD. However, our results have shown no association between siblings suffering from diseases such as mental retardation, child’s infections and ASD. Conclusion: This pilot study carried out in all the regions of Lebanon allowed us to shed the light on factors associated with ASD which might be preventable.
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spelling doaj-art-e569517b6ffb496ebdd8be44b34c48372025-08-20T01:51:23ZengMilano University PressEpidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health2282-09302020-06-011110.2427/1321811246Factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a case-control study in the Lebanese populationTania Bitar0Perla Gerges1Maria-Cristina Kassab2Souheil Hallit3Hanna Mattar4Michel Soufia5Christian R. Andres6Walid Hleihel7Faculty of Arts and Sciences - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon School of Medicine and Medical Sciences - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon Université de Tours, INSERM U1253 ibrain, team 2, Tours, FranceFaculty of Arts and Sciences - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon Université de Tours, INSERM U1253 ibrain, team 2, Tours, FranceSchool of Medicine and Medical Sciences - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, LebanonSchool of Medicine and Medical Sciences - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, LebanonSchool of Medicine and Medical Sciences - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, LebanonSchool of Medicine and Medical Sciences - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, LebanonUniversité de Tours, INSERM U1253 ibrain, team 2, Tours, FranceFaculty of Arts and Sciences - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon School of Medicine and Medical Sciences - Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, LebanonBackground: Genetic factors represent the major etiological contributor in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) but several studies also support the involvement of environmental factors. This last hypothesis is reinforced by the evident increase in the prevalence of this disorder in the last decades. Thus, in our study, we aimed to identify the correlation between factors related to sociodemographic elements, to child and mother’s health and ASD in order to dress a best detailed profile of the patients. Methods: We conducted a case-control study including 64 Lebanese patients with ASD and 67 matched controls recruited from all the Lebanese districts. Our data has been analyzed by SPSS 23.0 and the statistical tests carried out were the Independent Sample t-test and the Chi-Square test. In addition, a multivariate logistic regression analysis has been carried out using variables that showed a p<0.05 in the bivariate analysis. Results: Our findings suggest that consanguinity (OR=4; 95% CI [1.3-12.04]), familial history of ASD (6.7 [1.1- 39.3]), stress during pregnancy (3.6 [1.5 8.2]) and fetal prematurity (6.3 [1.2-33.01]) were significantly associated with increased odds of ASD. However, our results have shown no association between siblings suffering from diseases such as mental retardation, child’s infections and ASD. Conclusion: This pilot study carried out in all the regions of Lebanon allowed us to shed the light on factors associated with ASD which might be preventable.https://ebph.it/article/view/13218
spellingShingle Tania Bitar
Perla Gerges
Maria-Cristina Kassab
Souheil Hallit
Hanna Mattar
Michel Soufia
Christian R. Andres
Walid Hleihel
Factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a case-control study in the Lebanese population
Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health
title Factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a case-control study in the Lebanese population
title_full Factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a case-control study in the Lebanese population
title_fullStr Factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a case-control study in the Lebanese population
title_full_unstemmed Factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a case-control study in the Lebanese population
title_short Factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a case-control study in the Lebanese population
title_sort factors associated with autism spectrum disorder a case control study in the lebanese population
url https://ebph.it/article/view/13218
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