Associations between Prenatal Perceived Stress and Child Autism-Related Traits in the ECHO Cohort - 22/05/26
, Monica McGrath, PhD 2, Jasmine Douglas, MS 2, Jennifer L. Ames, PhD 1, Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, PhD 3, Lyndsay A. Avalos, PhD 1, 4, Brennan H. Baker, PhD 5, 6, Patricia A. Brennan, PhD 7, Neika Christalin, PhD 3, Assiamira Ferrara, PhD 1, Kendria Kelly-Taylor, PhD 1, Kristen Lyall, PhD 8, 9, Ruby H.N. Nguyen, PhD 10, Rebecca J. Schmidt, PhD 11, 12, Lisa A. Croen, PhD 1, 4ECHO Cohort Consortium ∗
Abstract |
Objective |
To examine associations of prenatal perceived stress with child autism-related traits and to evaluate effect modification by both child sex and co-occurring prenatal depressive symptoms.
Study design |
The sample was drawn from Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes cohort sites with data on prenatal perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]) and autism-related traits (Social Responsiveness Scale, second Edition [SRS-2]). We used linear and logistic regression models to determine associations between PSS and either SRS-2 T-scores or odds of moderate-to-severe autism-related traits (SRS-2 T-score ≥65) and evaluated effect modification by sex and prenatal depressive symptoms.
Results |
Among 4115 mother–child pairs, higher PSS was associated with increased severity of autism-related traits (β = 0.15 [95% CI = 0.13-0.18]) and odds of moderate-to-severe traits (OR = 1.04 [1.04-1.05]). There was evidence for sex-by-exposure interaction for continuous (β Males = 0.18 [0.14-0.22]; β Females = 0.13 [0.10-0.16], P interaction = 0.03) but not dichotomous trait severity (OR Males = 1.05 [1.03-1.06]; OR Females = 1.04 [1.03-1.05], P interaction = 0.52). Associations did not differ by prenatal depressive symptoms (low: n = 2,538, b = 0.14 [0.11-0.18]; high: n = 889, b = 0.10 [0.04-0.15]; P interaction = 0.66).
Conclusions |
We found small yet significant associations between prenatal stress and autism-related traits. Limited evidence for effect modification by sex or prenatal depressive symptoms suggests prenatal perceived stress influences autism-related traits after accounting for these factors.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : autism spectrum disorder, neurodevelopment, prenatal stress, psychosocial health
Abbreviation : ART, ASD, DAG, ECHO, GEE, PDEP, PROMIS, PSS, SRS-2
Plan
Vol 293
Article 115054- juin 2026 Retour au numéro
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