Abstract
Object:
Various prenatal infections were implicated in the etiology of autism. The variations of birth frequency according to seasons in autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) may be an evidence of viral pandemics. The aim of this study is to investigate seasonal variations in births of children and adolescents with autism and other PDD.
Methods:
Seasons of birth in a sample of 117 male subjects with PDD (autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, PDD-not otherwise specified) were compared with in a sample of 134 male subjects with other psychiatric disorders. The data about the season of birth and the diagnosis was obtained from case files.
Results:
No significant difference was found in seasons of birth of children and adolescents with PDD and in that of children and adolescents with other psychiatric disorders, as well as in that of autistic subjects (p>.05).
Conclusion:
The results of this study suggested that autism and other PDD were not associated with viral pandemics. Further studies with large sample and taking account obstetric complications, mental retardation, and congenital abnormalities are needed to elucidate the effects of seasonal variations in births of subjects with autism and other PDD.
Keywords: Autism, pervasive developmental disorders, seasons, birth
