Botsas, G.; Koidou, E.; Chatzinikolaou, K.; Grouios, G. Environmental Influences on Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders with Special Emphasis on Seasonality: An Overview. Children2023, 10, 1851.
Botsas, G.; Koidou, E.; Chatzinikolaou, K.; Grouios, G. Environmental Influences on Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders with Special Emphasis on Seasonality: An Overview. Children 2023, 10, 1851.
Botsas, G.; Koidou, E.; Chatzinikolaou, K.; Grouios, G. Environmental Influences on Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders with Special Emphasis on Seasonality: An Overview. Children2023, 10, 1851.
Botsas, G.; Koidou, E.; Chatzinikolaou, K.; Grouios, G. Environmental Influences on Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders with Special Emphasis on Seasonality: An Overview. Children 2023, 10, 1851.
Abstract
This paper offers an in-depth exploration of the complex relationship between seasonality and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It reviews existing research, providing a comprehensive summary of findings and highlighting the multifaceted dimensions of seasonality as an environmental factor that influences the etiology of ASD. The discussion encompasses various factors, including birth months, maternal health, dietary choices, and vitamin D deficiency, and delves into the intricate interplay of seasonality with environmental influences such as viral infections and solar radiation. The present study raises essential questions regarding the timing of environmental influences and the factors contributing to the rising prevalence of ASD. Ultimately, it underscores the need for future epidemiological research to incorporate more extensive investigations of environmental risk factors and employ advanced statistical analyses. This comprehensive overview contributes to a deeper understanding of how seasonality factors may be linked to the occurrence of ASD and its increasing prevalence, recognizing the multifaceted and diverse nature of these interactions.
Keywords
seasonality; autism; time of birth; infection; nutrition; vitamin; geographic location; photoperiod; immigration
Subject
Physical Sciences, Other
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.