Fig. 3

Adjusted odds ratios and two-sided 95% confidence intervals of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) following cesarean section (CS) compared with vaginal delivery (VD) for further stratified analysis of sex. The left and right present male and female results, respectively. a Forest plots of the association between CS and ASD in male and female study samples. The analysis was further classified based on methods of anesthesia (RA vs. GA) and surgery indication subgroups (emergency CS, voluntary CS and indicated CS), presented in b and c, respectively. Gray dashed horizontal lines separate the results of different stratification analyses. Adjusted odds ratio for CS was estimated from logistic regression after adjusting for confounding factors (e.g., parity number, past miscarriage history, children’s age, and past miscarriage history*CS). Adjusted odds ratio for different surgery indication was adjusted for confounding factors (e.g., parity number, past miscarriage history, subject’s age). Adjusted odds ratio for anesthesia regimen was adjusted for confounding factors (e.g., parity number, past miscarriage history and infant’s weight, and children’s age)