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Cited by 48Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchSexual Differentiation and DisordersDown syndrome and intellectual disability research

Association of autistic spectrum disorder with season of birth and conception in a UK cohort

Hebert, Karen J., Miller, Laura L., Joinson, Carol J.·2010·Autism Research
DOI 10.1002/aur.136
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Abstract

Purpose: To examine the association between autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and seasons of conception and birth in a UK birth cohort: Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Methods: Seasons of conception and birth were compared in children with and without ASD with season grouped as follows: spring (March–May); summer (June–August); autumn (September–November) and winter (December–February). Results: A total of 86 children with ASD were identified in the ALSPAC cohort giving a prevalence of ASD of 61.9 per 10,000. There was some evidence for an excess of children with ASD being conceived during the summer months with a rate per 1,000 conceptions of 9.5 in summer compared to 5.1, 4.6, 5.7 in spring, autumn and winter, respectively. A doubling of the odds was suggested for summer compared to autumn (Odds ratio 2.08 [1.18, 3.70]). In agreement with previous research, there was a corresponding peak in spring births. Conclusion: Conception during the summer months was associated with an over‐representation of children with ASD in this UK birth cohort. There was also an association between ASD and spring births. Further investigation of seasonal influences on the aetiology of autism is required to identify possible factors in the environment, and their mechanisms and timings.

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  • Hebert et al. (2010) reported an increased rate of children later diagnosed with ASD in those conceived during summer in the UK, with a conception rate of 9.5/1000 vs. 5.7/1000 in summer and winter, respectively, and an OR of 1.86 (1.01-3.37).

    “By contrast, Hebert et al. (2010) reported an increased rate of children later diagnosed with ASD in those conceived during summer in the UK; with a conception rate of 9.5/1000 vs. 5.7/1000 in summer (June—August) and winter (December-February) months, respectively, with a corresponding peak in spring births, an OR of 1.86 (1.01–3.37) [76].”

    From Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review (2016) · cites this paper as [76]

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Authors
Hebert, K. J., Miller, L. L., & Joinson, C. J.
Affiliations
University of Bristol (GB)
Corresponding author
Miller, Laura L.
ORCID
Venue
Autism Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2010-08
Volume
3
Issue
4
Pages
185-190
ISSN
  • 1939-3792 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-3806
DOI
10.1002/aur.136
OpenAlex
W2082666264
Cited by
48
References
21
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 8
FWCI
2.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Autism Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust
  • University of Bristol
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Down syndrome and intellectual disability research
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, season of conception, season of birth, seasonal variation, autism prevalence, autism etiology, environmental factors, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
MeSH terms
Child, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Fertilization, United Kingdom, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Pregnancy, Risk Factors, Seasons, Cohort Studies, Odds Ratio

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