Epidural labour analgesia and autism spectrum disorder: is the current evidence sufficient to dismiss an association?

Findings from a population-based study using a sibling-matched analysis published in this issue of the British Journal of Anaesthesia indicate that epidural labour analgesia is not associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. These findings are consistent with those from three other population-based studies that used similar methodological approaches. Cumulatively, these robust, high-quality epidemiological data support the assertion that there is no meaningful association between epidural labour analgesia and autism spectrum disorder in offspring.

Automated summary

Findings from a population-based study suggest that epidural labor analgesia is not linked to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. These results are consistent with three other population-based studies that utilized similar research methods. Overall, these high-quality epidemiological data support the conclusion that there is no significant association between epidural labor analgesia and autism spectrum disorder in offspring.