Objective:

To examine whether associations between maternal health conditions and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses vary according to race and ethnicity.

Approach:

• Study Design: Retrospective cohort study utilizing Kaiser Permanente Northern California health system records.

Key Findings:

• Maternal health conditions were associated with ASD across most racial and ethnic groups.
• Associations involving maternal body mass index, depressive symptoms, asthma, and pregnancy complications were more pronounced among White mothers.
• Disparities in health care access and quality disproportionately affect Black and Hispanic mothers.
• Black children were less likely to receive a clinical ASD diagnosis despite having higher rates of co-occurring intellectual disabilities.
• California shows a narrowing of racial and ethnic diagnostic gaps, but disparities persist.

Limitations:

• Individual-level racial and ethnicity classifications may not reflect area-based disease drivers.
• Neighborhood factors such as education and socioeconomic status may influence ASD diagnosis.

Sources:

• Messaoud et al.