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Oxytocin Administration during Delivery and the Autism Spectrum Disorder
The hypothesis of mediation by the oxytocin administrated to mother during labor to autistic behaviors had been elaborated from the effect observed on animals, and from the knowledge in the molecular level. However, the studies are scares and inconclusive.
Objectives:
to explore the relationship between administrating Oxytocin during labor to mother and the developing of Autism spectrum disorder by the offspring.
Methods: it is a cross sectional study. We included the first 150 child with diagnosed with ASD starting from Marsh 2015 April 2016, in the outpatient unit of child and adolescent psychiatry in Monastir. The 150 child with typical development were randomly chosen from kinder garden in the same region. We excluded from both group children with sensory abnormalities due to physical condition. The ASD diagnosis was done based on the DSM-5 criteria, the CARS and the clinical evolution of the child during the period of the study. The exposition to oxytocin during labor was explored by a direct yes/no question to the mothers. Analytic analysis were done using Chi-Square test and ANOVA.
Results:
the mean age of the ASD group was 2.66 years ± 0.55 years with a sex ratio of 3.2. Thirty-nine mother from the ASD group (27.1%) had received oxytocin during labor while only nine from the control group (6%) was exposed. The Chi-square test found a significant statistical relationship: p<0.001. After controlling of obstetrical complication, the relationship still significant p=0.041 [95% I.C (0.009-0.208)].
Conclusions: it seems that there is a possible relation between the use of oxytocin during labor in mother and the developing of ASD by the child. Further research should be undertaken.