The current study examined the association between prenatal pregnancy complications (PPC) and childhood psychiatric symptoms in children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and non-ASD children who were referred to a psychiatric clinic (Controls). Parents completed a "DSM-IV"-referenced rating scale and developmental history questionnaire. Participants were classified as having [greater than or equal to]1 PPC (+PPC) versus none (-PPC). Children with ASD were significantly more likely to have PPC than Controls. Intra-group comparisons demonstrated that children in the ASD + PPC group had more severe anxiety than ASD/-PPC group. The Control + PPC group obtained higher symptom ratings of inattention, hyperactivity, and oppositional behavior than Control/-PPC. Children in the ASD + PPC group were rated as having more severe anxiety and depression symptoms than Control + PPC. Dissimilar associations in ASD and non-ASD samples were found, suggesting divergent pathogenic processes in different clinical phenotypes.