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Environmental risk factors for autism spectrum disorders

Umweltrisikofaktoren für Autismusspektrumstörungen

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Abstract

Background

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are syndromes that are predominantly defined by behavioral features such as impaired social interactions, restricted verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive or stereotyped behavior. In the past few decades, the reported prevalence of ASD has increased dramatically. This growth can be partially explained by an increased level of awareness of the problem among professionals and better diagnostic methods. Nevertheless, underpinning causes of ASD have not yet been detailed and explained. It is suggested that rather than having a single causative factor, ASD pathogenesis is influenced by environmental or genetic factors, or a combination of both. The aims of this review are to describe the environmental risk factors associated with ASD so as to provide a reference basis for current and future clinical and experimental work.

Materials and methods

On the basis of a PubMed search, we review the existing knowledge on environmental factors associated with ASD.

Results

A series of environmental factors have been repeatedly reported as risk factors for ASD in existing studies.

Conclusion

Air pollution, organic toxicants, seasonal factors, psychological stress, migration, birth order, and nutrition may have a close relationship with the incidence of ASD.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Autismusspektrumstörungen (ASS) sind überwiegend durch Verhaltensmerkmale definierte Syndrome, wie eingeschränkte soziale Interaktion, begrenze verbale und nonverbale Kommunikation und repetitives oder stereotypes Verhalten. In den letzten Jahrzehnten stieg die gemeldete Prävalenz von ASS drastisch an. Dieser Anstieg ist z. T durch ein vermehrtes Bewusstsein für diese Erkrankungen bei den damit befassten Berufsgruppen und durch bessere diagnostische Verfahren zu erklären. Trotzdem wurden die zugrunde liegenden Ursachen von ASS bisher nicht detailliert aufgeführt und erklärt. Es gibt Hinweise darauf, dass anstelle eines einzelnen ursächlichen Faktors die Pathogenese von ASS eher von Umwelt- oder genetischen Faktoren oder einer Kombination aus beiden beeinflusst wird. Ziel der vorliegenden Übersichtarbeit ist die Beschreibung der Umweltrisikofaktoren im Zusammenhang mit ASS, um eine Referenzgrundlage für laufende und zukünftige klinische und experimentelle Arbeiten zu schaffen.

Material und Methoden

Auf der Grundlage eine PubMed-Suche wird ein Überblick über das vorhandene Wissen zu Umweltfaktoren gegeben, die mit ASS in Zusammenhang stehen.

Ergebnisse

Eine Reihe von Umweltfaktoren sind wiederholt als Risikofaktoren von ASS in bestehenden Studien genannt worden.

Schlussfolgerung

Luftverschmutzung, organische Giftstoffe, saisonale Faktoren, psychischer Stress, Migration, Geburtenfolge und Ernährung können in engem Zusammenhang mit der Inzidenz von ASS stehen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Xiangya Nursing School, Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China

    L. Liu, D. Zhang &  Y.-M. Li

  2. Division of Applied Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK

    J. K. Rodzinka-pasko

  3. Clinical Nursing Teaching and Research Section, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, China

    Y.-M. Li

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of Central South University (grant number: 2015zzts290).

Conflict of interest

L. Liu, D. Zhang, J.K. Rodzinka-pasko, and Y.-M. Li state that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Liu, L., Zhang, D., Rodzinka-pasko, J.K. et al. Environmental risk factors for autism spectrum disorders. Nervenarzt 87 (Suppl 2), 55–61 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00115-016-0172-3

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