Association between maternal labour epidural analgesia and autistic traits in offspring
Main findingResult — go to the resultOdds ratio 0.726 95% CI 0.394–1.34Authors' conclusion
MEA is not significantly associated with the development of ASD and autistic traits in offspring, assessed over 7 years.
Study context
- Population
- Singleton non-IVF children, >36 weeks gestation, normal vaginal delivery, mothers >18 years, Singapore, June 2009-September 2010, followed up over 7 yearsof 769 dyads recruited
- Participants
- 704 children
- Exposure
- Maternal epidural analgesia exposure vs no exposure during delivery
- Maternal epidural analgesia (MEA)n = 365
- Outcome
- Abnormal Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) T score (≥60 points)
- Follow-up
- 7 years
Methodological detailsneurobehavioral follow-up, multivariable-adjusted, Singaporean tertiary healthcare institutions
- Neurobehavioral follow-up
- Multivariable-adjusted
- Singaporean tertiary healthcare institutions
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Odds ratio
0.726
95% CI 0.394–1.34
P = 0.305
By group
MEA vs Non-exposed
OR 0.726 (95% CI 0.394–1.34); P = 0.305
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
Clinical incidence of ASD
P = 0.506
Abnormal screen in other tests for autistic traits (CBCL, Q-CHAT, Bayley-III)
- MEA not significantly associated with an abnormal screen in all other tests after adjustment
Original publication
Association between maternal labour epidural analgesia and autistic traits in offspring. J Clin Anesth. Published 21 June 2023. doi:10.
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