Abstract
The complex neurodevelopmental illness known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) first manifests in infancy or early childhood. ASD is influenced by both hereditary and non-genetic factors, which can work alone or in combination, leading to the disorder. The study aims to investigate the potential associations of several maternal, prenatal, and neonatal risk factors among autism children attending the National Center for autism diagnosis and Treatment in Tripoli, Libya, from August 2023 to January 2024. A cross-sectional study included 53 mothers of children diagnosed with autism attending the National Center for autism diagnosis and Treatment. The data were obtained using an interview-based questionnaire, which included data related to maternal, prenatal, and neonatal risk factors. Of the 53 autistic children (73.6%) who were male and 26.4% who were female. Maternal age above 20 at delivery was noted in 96.2% of the cases. Fetal distress, fever, and gestational diabetes were the most frequent prenatal risk factors (13.2%, 11.3%, and 9.4%, respectively); multiple deliveries, reported in three women, were the most common natal risk factor; and 32.1% of children had jaundice as a postnatal risk factor. Vitamin D deficiency (22.6%) and a history of obesity (13.2%) were the most frequent maternal comorbidities. In children with autism, there is an increased prevalence of obstetric and postnatal risk factors