A qualitative and quantitative review of obstetric complications and autistic disorder

To investigate the possible association of obstetric complications and autistic disorder, we performed a review of case-control studies of any obstetric complication in autistic disorder. If the odds ratio = {(Number of cases with autistic disorder with any obstetric complication)/(Number of cases with autistic disorder without any obstetric complication)}/{(Number of controls without autistic disorder with any obstetric complication)/(Number of controls without autistic disorder without any obstetric complication)} <1, then there are more complications in controls; =1, then complications are equal in cases and controls; and >1, then there are more complications in cases. Most publications do not provide the raw data to calculate the odds ratio. Many calculated odds ratios support the hypothesis that cases with autism have more obstetric complications. Further investigation is warranted to clarify the relationships between obstetric complications and autism and related conditions in the general population worldwide.