A Study Enrolled 517 Children Aged 2 to 5 Years

Multiple Choice

A study enrolled 517 children aged 2 to 5 years with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and 315 children of the same age group but without such a diagnosis. The mothers' medical records were examined to see whether they had a metabolic condition (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) during pregnancy. The researchers found that metabolic conditions during pregnancy tended to be more frequent among the mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder than among mothers of control children.
What can we reasonably conclude from this study?

A) Metabolic conditions during pregnancy cause autism.
B) Metabolic conditions during pregnancy are one cause of autism.
C) There is an association between metabolic conditions during pregnancy and autism.
D) There is no association between metabolic conditions during pregnancy and autism.