Keywords
Environmental factors
Pregnancy
Epigenetics
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Abstract
Objective: To investigate the influence of environmental factors and lifestyle during pregnancy on the development of ASD in 116 mothers residing in Imperatriz, Maranhão. Methods: This is a quantitative, descriptive, and exploratory field research that used snowball sampling and application of a validated questionnaire. Results: Descriptive analysis revealed low exposure to classic toxic substances (smoking 4.3%, alcohol 0.0%), but high prevalence of risk factors: gestational fever (31.9%), excessive weight gain (37.9%), stress (51.7%), and depression (36.2%). A strong association between depression and stress was observed (χ² = 179.44; p < 0.0001), remaining significant after Bonferroni correction. Protective factors included folic acid supplementation (73.3%) and adequate prenatal care (62.9%). Results corroborate the multifactorial hypothesis of ASD, mediated by maternal immune activation, HPA axis dysfunction, and epigenetic alterations. Conclusion: These findings have implications for public health policies, reinforcing the need for prevention of gestational infections, screening for maternal mental health, and appropriate management of gestational weight gain.
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