1.22 PRENATAL EXPOSURES TO PATERNAL SMOKING AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Genetic factors, including de novo mutations, and environmental factors, including prenatal toxic exposures, and their interactions (G × E) play a role in the etiology of ASD. Paternal smoking is a candidate environmental risk factor in two of the following ways: indirect smoking exposure to pregnant mothers and mutagenic effects of spermatogenesis. We hypothesized that paternal smoking will increase ASD risk via these mechanisms.