Consanguinity as a Risk Factor for Autism

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders
• Main Authors: Alshaban, Fouad A., Aldosari, Mohammad, Ghazal, Iman, Al-Shammari, Hawraa, ElHag, Saba, Thompson, I. Richard, Bruder, Jennifer, Shaath, Hibah, Al-Faraj, Fatema, Tolefat, Mohamed, Nasir, Assal, Fombonne, Eric
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 26.09.2023
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06137-w

PURPOSEGenetic and environmental risk factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) continue to be a focus of research worldwide. Consanguinity, the cultural practice of marrying within a family, is common in cultures and societies of the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Asia. Consanguinity has been investigated as a risk factor for ASD in a limited number of studies, with mixed results. We employed registry and survey data from Qatar to evaluate the role of consanguinity as a risk factor for ASD. METHODSData were sourced from a national registry and a population-based survey of autism recently conducted in Qatar. We selected a sample of 891 children (mean age: 8.3 years) with (N = 361) or without (N = 530) ASD. Data on consanguinity and covariates were collected through questionnaires and interviews. RESULTSThe prevalence of consanguinity in the overall sample was 41.2% with no significant difference between cases and controls (42.1% vs 41.3%; p = .836). In adjusted multiple logistic regression analyses, consanguinity was not associated with risk of ASD (aOR = 1.065; 95% CI: .751-1.509; NS). CONCLUSIONParental consanguinity was not associated with autism risk in our study. Replication in other populations with high rates of consanguineous unions is recommended.