Mortality and Factors Associated with Death in Autism Spectrum Disorders - a Review

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to provide information on mortality and factors associated with death in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A review of the published systematic mortality studies suggest that the observed number of deaths is nearly three times higher in populations with ASD than in the general population. Research into risk factors associated with survival in people with ASD is limited, and no studies have controlled for changes in these factors over time. The most important risk factors that are associated with reduced life expectancy in people with ASD are moderate to profound intellectual disability, having epilepsy, and female gender. This supports the need for continuous and coordinated care for this high-risk sub population of individuals within the population of people with ASD. It is concluded that measures to reduce inequalities in people with ASD need to focus on reducing mortality from potentially preventable causes of death such as infectious diseases and accidents.