PARENTAL AND PERINATAL FACTORS AND ASD: A ROMANIAN EXPLORATORY RESEARCH

Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental condition. High and low 
blood pressure, parental age, premature delivery, low weight birth, cesarean section, 
birth complications and neonatal intensive care were described in scientific literature 
as potential risk factors for ASD. 
Material and method: 102 children born between 2009 and 2014 were included in 
the studied group. We analyzed gender, types of diagnostic, parental age and level of 
education, birth order of ASD child, types of child delivery, and obstetrical 
complications during birth. 
Results: 49% of mothers were over 31 years old when they gave birth to children in 
our study group. 36.27% of fathers were over 36 years old at childbirth, and 16.67% 
of them were even over 41 years old. 69 children (67.6%) are the firstborn and 
79.42% of children suffered birth complications. 
Further researches and data analysis are needed to understand the risk factors for 
ASD.