Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been associated with disruptions in one-carbon metabolism and vitamin D pathways. Nutritional exposures—particularly vitamin D, vitamin B₁₂, and homocysteine—may influence neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, a comprehensive, lifespan-spanning synthesis of these modifiable nutritional biomarkers has not been conducted. This systematic review and stratified meta-analysis critically synthesized data on vitamin D, vitamin B₁₂, and homocysteine to elucidate their relationships with ASD risk and symptomatology. Our central question was: How do levels of vitamin D, vitamin B₁₂, and homocysteine—measured before and after birth—affect the risk, severity, and potential treatment outcomes for ASD? We conducted a PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) compliant systematic review and stratified meta-analysis (2015–2025) of 35 studies (11 randomized controlled trials, 24 observational), examining prenatal, neonatal, and postnatal biomarker levels. Eligibility criteria were defined using the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, and Study Design) framework to ensure scientific rigor and clinical relevance, including studies involving human participants aged 0–18 years with a formal Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis or prenatal exposures potentially linked to later ASD onset, while excluding animal studies, adult-only ASD populations, and studies lacking ASD cohorts or biomarker data. The search strategy, developed according to PRISMA, and Cochrane best practices, encompassed five major databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and ProQuest) alongside manual searches of key references, grey literature, and clinical trial registries to ensure comprehensive retrieval of both published and unpublished studies. Study quality was assessed using version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for RCTs (RoB2) and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies; certainty of evidence was graded via GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Random-effects meta-analyses were stratified by biomarker and study design. Heterogeneity, small-study effects, and publication bias were evaluated using Cochran’s Q, I², Egger’s test, and trim-and-fill. Prenatal vitamin D deficiency was associated with approximately two-fold increased odds of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in offspring (pooled OR ≈ 2.0; p < 0.05), while excessively elevated maternal B₁₂ concentrations, often co-occurring with folate excess, were similarly linked to increased ASD risk. Meta-analytic comparisons revealed significantly lower circulating vitamin D (SMD ≈ −1.0; p < 0.001) and B₁₂ levels (SMD ≈ −0.7; p < 0.001), alongside elevated homocysteine (SMD ≈ 0.7; p < 0.001), in children with ASD versus neurotypical controls. Early-life vitamin D/B₁₂ insufficiency and elevated homocysteine are important, modifiable correlates of ASD risk and severity. Adequate maternal and child nutritional status could have risk-reducing and symptom-mitigating effects, although causality remains to be confirmed. This evidence supports tailored nutritional interventions as a component of ASD risk reduction and management strategies, within the bounds of overall developmental healthcare. The article processing charges (APC) were supported by “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, Romania. No external funding was received for the execution of the research. The review was not prospectively registered in PROSPERO or any other systematic review registry.

Background/Objectives: The intergenerational transmission of suicidal risk is a major global health concern. Evidence on the role of parental psychopathology, including suicidal behavior, in predicting adolescent suicidality remains inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize recent findings and quantify these associations. Methods: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Population, Intervention/Exposure, Comparator, Outcome (PICO) framework. Searches (2015–2025) identified observational studies on parental suicidal behavior, depression, or psychiatric disorders predicting adolescent suicidal ideation or attempts. Thirty-one studies met eligibility, including over 12 million adolescents. Random-effects meta-analyses estimated pooled associations. Study quality was rated with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS), and evidence certainty with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Results: Both parental suicidal behavior and psychiatric disorders were consistently linked to increased adolescent suicidality. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for any parental psychopathology was 2.77 (95% confidence interval, CI: 2.22–3.47), indicating nearly a threefold higher risk of suicidal ideation or attempts in exposed youth. Subgroup analyses showed comparable risks for parental suicidal behavior (OR = 2.69, 95% CI: 2.30–3.14) and parental psychiatric morbidity (OR = 2.72, 95% CI: 2.05–3.60). Conclusions: Parental psychopathology, whether manifesting as suicidal behavior or psychiatric disorder, is a strong and universal risk factor for adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts. These findings underscore the need for family-centered prevention, early identification, and targeted interventions to disrupt intergenerational transmission of suicide risk.

Objective: This is the first umbrella review to integrate the available research syntheses on the associations between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and suicidality. Methods: A systematic search within the main databases (MedLine, PubMed, PsychInfo, Web of Science, Science Direct, Sage, Wiley, Scopus, Google Scholar, Proquest, and Cochrane Library) was performed using the main key words. Out of a total of 50 initial studies, a final number of 12 reviews and meta-analyses were included in the study. Results: Except for two observational studies, the results consistently found no significant association between GLP-1RAs and suicidality, though improvements in symptomatology (as found in five studies), quality of life (three studies), and diabetes distress (one study) were highlighted. Although no causal effect could be yielded, an association was observed between suicidality and having unrealistic treatment expectations, being underweighted, and being treated with semaglutide and liraglutide (as indicated by two studies). Conclusion: GLP-1RA treatment represents a safe option when treating diabetes/obesity. However, a careful assessment of treatment expectations and of suicide risk is needed in order to attenuate potential suicidal tendencies that already exist.

Background: Clinician empathy is associated with family satisfaction and reduced anxiety, but quantitative data from the parents’ perspective in pediatric psychiatry are limited. Objective: To assess parent-perceived physician empathy in pediatric psychiatry consultations and explore its associations with clinical and demographic factors. Methods: Cross-sectional, consecutive sample of parents attending an outpatient pediatric psychiatry clinic (n = 163 parents). A 10-item behavioral empathy scale (range 10–40) was used. Analyses included reliability testing, group comparisons, correlations, OLS regression, and exploratory PCA. Results: The mean total empathy score was 34.5 (SD 4.2); most parents rated physicians as highly empathic (65%). Parents of children with ASD reported lower empathy compared to those with anxiety/depression. Empathy increased modestly with child age and was associated with a calmer state at the end of the visit. PCA suggested exploratory evidence of potential subdimensions, including child-centered communication and listening/facilitation. Conclusions: Parent-perceived empathy in this sample was generally high; however, behaviors that directly involve and facilitate the child (listening, encouraging questions) may need strengthening, particularly for children with ASD. Results should be interpreted in light of the single-center design, the absence of a recorded participation rate, parent-proxy reporting, and the exploratory nature of the PCA.