ASSOCIATION OF LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition resulting mainly in social and communication problems, the risk factors of which are still not substantially explored. The study aims to identify the probable association between ASD and low birth weight in the Georgian population, to promote early identification of disease in those patients.A total of 100 patients aged 2-18 years with ASD diagnosed via ICD 10 were analyzed. Birth weight was obtained from medical records and the prevalence of low birth weight in ASD children was determined. Patients were stratified according to other possible risk factors. 11 out of 96 had low birth weight, out of which 73% were preterm, 55% were delivered with C-section, 45% had neonatal complications, and 55% had pregnancy complications. The findings showed an 11.5% prevalence of low birth weight in ASD patients that suggest a possible relationship between these two and warrant more extensive investigation.