Impact of socioeconomic factors and birth-related conditions on autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
- 1Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. [email protected].
- 2Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- 3Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. [email protected].
Abstract
Background and objective
This study examined the association between socioeconomic factors and maternal birth-related variables in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome (DS), and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).Methods
A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh between 2015 and 2024. The sample included 269 children: 185 with ASD, 51 with DS, and 33 with ADHD. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors.Results
Maternal use of medications during pregnancy (excluding dietary supplements) was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of ASD (OR = 4.253, p = 0.012). Child age was also significant, with each additional year increasing ASD odds by about 5% (OR = 1.054, p = 0.040). Child birth order played a role, as first- or second-born children were less likely to be diagnosed with ASD compared to later-born children (OR = 0.660, p = 0.002). For DS, higher socioeconomic status index (SESi) was linked to a reduced risk, with each unit increase in SESi score, DS odds decreased significantly (OR = 0.578, p = 0.018). Maternal employment during pregnancy was associated with increased DS odds (OR = 1.535, p = 0.024). In contrast, maternal vitamin D supplementation was associated with reduced odds of DS (OR = 0.452, p = 0.028). Regarding ADHD, assisted conception was the only factor significant predictor. Children conceived through assisted reproductive methods had more than twice the likelihood of ADHD compared to those conceived naturally (OR = 2.401, p = 0.040).Conclusion
Maternal medication use during pregnancy was associated with increased ASD risk, while birth order and child age also played roles. For DS, higher socioeconomic status reduced risk, whereas maternal employment increased it and vitamin D supplementation was less associated with the disorder. Assisted conception was the only factor linked to increased ADHD risk. Overall, maternal, socioeconomic, and perinatal factors showed distinct associations across ASD, DS, and ADHD.
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BibTeX
@article{alkhlaiwi2026impact,
title = {{Impact of socioeconomic factors and birth-related conditions on autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.}},
author = {Thamir Al-Khlaiwi and Manan Alhakbany and Manal Khalid Aldossary and Lama Fahad Binsalamh and Lubna Musa Altamimi and Norah Ibrahim Alyahya and Reema Wajeeh Aldekhail and Razan Adel Alobaid and Maha Owainan Aljarbaa and Muhammad Iqbal},
journal = {BMC pediatrics},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12887-026-07378-1},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902205},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Impact of socioeconomic factors and birth-related conditions on autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
AU - Thamir Al-Khlaiwi
AU - Manan Alhakbany
AU - Manal Khalid Aldossary
AU - Lama Fahad Binsalamh
AU - Lubna Musa Altamimi
AU - Norah Ibrahim Alyahya
AU - Reema Wajeeh Aldekhail
AU - Razan Adel Alobaid
AU - Maha Owainan Aljarbaa
AU - Muhammad Iqbal
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC pediatrics
DO - 10.1186/s12887-026-07378-1
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902205
AB - Background and objective This study examined the association between socioeconomic factors and maternal birth-related variables in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Down Syndrome (DS), and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh between 2015 and 2024. The sample included 269 children: 185 with ASD, 51 with DS, and 33 with ADHD. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors.Results Maternal use of medications during pregnancy (excluding dietary supplements) was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of ASD (OR = 4.253, p = 0.012). Child age was also significant, with each additional year increasing ASD odds by about 5% (OR = 1.054, p = 0.040). Child birth order played a role, as first- or second-born children were less likely to be diagnosed with ASD compared to later-born children (OR = 0.660, p = 0.002). For DS, higher socioeconomic status index (SESi) was linked to a reduced risk, with each unit increase in SESi score, DS odds decreased significantly (OR = 0.578, p = 0.018). Maternal employment during pregnancy was associated with increased DS odds (OR = 1.535, p = 0.024). In contrast, maternal vitamin D supplementation was associated with reduced odds of DS (OR = 0.452, p = 0.028). Regarding ADHD, assisted conception was the only factor significant predictor. Children conceived through assisted reproductive methods had more than twice the likelihood of ADHD compared to those conceived naturally (OR = 2.401, p = 0.040).Conclusion Maternal medication use during pregnancy was associated with increased ASD risk, while birth order and child age also played roles. For DS, higher socioeconomic status reduced risk, whereas maternal employment increased it and vitamin D supplementation was less associated with the disorder. Assisted conception was the only factor linked to increased ADHD risk. Overall, maternal, socioeconomic, and perinatal factors showed distinct associations across ASD, DS, and ADHD.
SN - 1471-2431
ER -