Neonatal jaundice in association with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disorder.

Objective: To examine the association between neonatal jaundice and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and non-ASD developmental disorder (DD).
Study Design: We analyzed data from the Study to Explore Early Development, a US multisite, case-control study conducted from 2007 to 2011. Developmental assessment classified children aged 2-5 years into: ASD (n = 636), DD (n = 777), or controls (POP; n = 926). Neonatal jaundice (n = 1054) was identified from medical records and maternal interviews. We examined associations between neonatal jaundice and ASD and DD using regression models to obtain adjusted odds ratios (aOR).
Results: Our results showed interaction between gestational age and neonatal jaundice. Neonatal jaundice was associated with ASD at 35-37 weeks (aOR = 1.83, 95%CI 1.05, 3.19), but not ≥38 weeks gestation (aOR = 0.97, 95%CI 0.76, 1.24). Similar results were observed with DD.
Conclusions: Further exploration of timing and severity of neonatal jaundice and ASD/DD is warranted.