Table 2 Prenatal, perinatal and parental factors of ASD and TD children (n = 302)
Variable | ASD (N = 151) | TD (N = 151) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
N (%) | N (%) | ||
Prenatal | Â | Â | Â |
 Poor maternal health during pregnancy |  |  | |
  Fever | 47(31.13) | 19(12.58) | < 0.000 |
  Diabetes | 21(13.91) | 15(9.93) | 0.375 |
  Hypertension | 1(0.66) | 4(2.65) | 0.371 |
  Anemia | 11(7.28) | 21(13.91) | 0.091 |
  Vitamin deficiency | 4(2.65) | 3(1.99) | 1.000 |
  Exposure to toxic substances/pollution | 8(5.30) | 9(5.96) | 1.000 |
 Maternal exposure to stressful events during pregnancy |  |  | |
  No | 137(90.73) | 146(96.69) |  0.055 |
  Yes | 14(9.27) | 5(3.31) |  |
Perinatal | Â | Â | Â |
 Gestational age |  |  |  |
  37–42 weeks | 143(94.70) | 143(94.70) |  1.000 |
  <37 weeks | 6(3.97) | 6(3.97) |  |
  >42 weeks | 2(1.32) | 2(1.32) |  |
 Delivery |  |  |  |
  Natural birth | 109(72.19) | 111(73.51) |  0.897 |
  Cesarean birth | 42(27.81) | 40(26.49) |  |
 Neonatal status |  |  |  |
  Healthy | 135(89.41) | 148(98.02) |  < 0.000 |
  Birth asphyxia | 14(9.27) | 1(0.66) |  |
 Postpartum maternal mental illness |  |  | |
  No | 84(55.63) | 110(72.85) |  < 0.000 |
  Yes | 67(44.37) | 41(27.15) |  |
 Feeding difficulties |  |  |  |
  No | 132(87.44) | 145(96.03) | < 0.000 |
  Yes | 19(12.58) | 6(3.97) |  |
Postnatal/Parenting | Â | Â | Â |
 Frequency of touching or hugging |  |  | |
  Once a day or more | 143(94.70) | 144(95.36) |  1.000 |
  Less than once a day | 8(5.30) | 7(4.64) |  |
 Verbal or behavioral responsiveness |  |  | |
  High | 158(94.05) | 167(99.40) |  < 0.000 |
  Low | 10(5.95) | 1(0.60) |  |
 Parenting behavior |  |  |  |
  Gentle | 74(49.01) | 119(78.81) | 0.001 |
  Harsh | 28(18.54) | 9(5.96) |  |
  Neglectful | 49(32.45) | 23(15.23) |  |