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Peer-reviewedCC BYJMIR pediatrics and parenting

The Association Between Prenatal Anxiety and Depression and Autism Spectrum Disorder With Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children: Case-Control Study.

  • Boli Cheng1,2
  • Enyu Wan2
  • Yuanxia He2
  • Si Wang1
  • Yun He1
  • Xiaojiang Lyu1
  1. 1Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, 637000, China, 86 0817 2262406, 86 0817-2262406.
  2. 2Department of Clinical Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.
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Abstract

Background

Studies have indicated that maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy can contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders and gut flora dysbiosis in children. However, it is unclear whether these factors increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in children.Objective

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy and ASD with GI symptoms.Methods

A total of 470 children with ASD and 486 children with typical development were enrolled in the study. The caregivers of all enrolled children completed questionnaires, including information on maternal mental health and GI symptoms.Results

The percentage of maternal prenatal anxiety or depression was significantly higher in the ASD group than in the typical development group (P<.001). Children whose mothers experienced anxiety or depression during pregnancy had substantially higher risk of developing ASD than those whose mothers did not experience these conditions (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.274, 95% CI 2.799-6.526; adjusted OR 3.897, 95% CI 2.481-6.119). For children with ASD, those whose mothers had prenatal anxiety or depression had a significantly higher risk of GI symptoms than those whose mothers did not have these conditions (unadjusted OR 1.883, 95% CI 1.209-2.934; adjusted OR 1.943, 95% CI 1.236-3.054).Conclusions

Mothers who experience anxiety or depression during pregnancy may have a higher likelihood of their children developing ASD with GI symptoms.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{cheng2026association,
  title = {{The Association Between Prenatal Anxiety and Depression and Autism Spectrum Disorder With Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children: Case-Control Study.}},
  author = {Boli Cheng and Enyu Wan and Yuanxia He and Si Wang and Yun He and Xiaojiang Lyu},
  journal = {JMIR pediatrics and parenting},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.2196/90446},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42950347},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - The Association Between Prenatal Anxiety and Depression and Autism Spectrum Disorder With Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children: Case-Control Study.
AU  - Boli Cheng
AU  - Enyu Wan
AU  - Yuanxia He
AU  - Si Wang
AU  - Yun He
AU  - Xiaojiang Lyu
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - JMIR pediatrics and parenting
DO  - 10.2196/90446
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42950347
AB  - Background  Studies have indicated that maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy can contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders and gut flora dysbiosis in children. However, it is unclear whether these factors increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in children.Objective  This study aimed to analyze the relationship between maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy and ASD with GI symptoms.Methods  A total of 470 children with ASD and 486 children with typical development were enrolled in the study. The caregivers of all enrolled children completed questionnaires, including information on maternal mental health and GI symptoms.Results  The percentage of maternal prenatal anxiety or depression was significantly higher in the ASD group than in the typical development group (P<.001). Children whose mothers experienced anxiety or depression during pregnancy had substantially higher risk of developing ASD than those whose mothers did not experience these conditions (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.274, 95% CI 2.799-6.526; adjusted OR 3.897, 95% CI 2.481-6.119). For children with ASD, those whose mothers had prenatal anxiety or depression had a significantly higher risk of GI symptoms than those whose mothers did not have these conditions (unadjusted OR 1.883, 95% CI 1.209-2.934; adjusted OR 1.943, 95% CI 1.236-3.054).Conclusions  Mothers who experience anxiety or depression during pregnancy may have a higher likelihood of their children developing ASD with GI symptoms.
SN  - 2561-6722
ER  -