Influence of Maternal Body Mass Index During Early Pregnancy on Offspring Autism Risk: A Cohort Analysis from Sweden and Denmark
By
Matilda Morin
Weiyao Yin
Heidi MacLean
Bernie Devlin
Abraham Reichenberg
Shanna H. Swan
Joseph D. Buxbaum
Diana Schendel
Martina Persson
Thomas Munk Laursen
Alexander Kolevzon
Jakob Grove
Lambertus Klei
Kathryn Roeder
Sven Sandin
November 7, 2025
Clinical Scorecard: Influence of Maternal Body Mass Index During Early Pregnancy on Offspring Autism Risk: A Cohort Analysis from Sweden and Denmark
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Key Mechanisms Maternal obesity may impair fetal neurodevelopment through systemic inflammation and pregnancy complications. Target Population Live singleton births in Sweden (1998-2019) and Denmark (2004-2018) with parents born in Nordic countries. Care Setting National health and population registers.
Key Highlights
Positive association between maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and offspring ASD risk. BMI analyzed as a continuous variable to capture the full association shape. Study utilized large, contemporary cohorts with minimal loss to follow-up. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
ASD diagnosed using ICD-10 codes with high validity in Sweden and Denmark. Management
Monitor maternal BMI during early pregnancy to assess ASD risk. Monitoring & Follow-up
Follow children from age 2 for ASD diagnosis, emigration, or death. Risks
Maternal obesity linked to gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and preterm birth, which may increase ASD risk. Patient & Prescribing Data
Children born to mothers with varying BMI categories.
Consider maternal BMI as a factor in ASD risk assessment.
Clinical Best Practices
Utilize national health registers for comprehensive data on maternal and child health. Adjust for potential confounders such as parental age, education, and psychiatric history. References
