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Extremely preterm infants at increased risk for ASD
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder was greater among children born very preterm, suggesting an increased risk among this population, according to recent research in Pediatrics.
“Our primary aim was to determine the prevalence of ASD in the context of routine developmental follow-up for toddlers born very preterm,” Margo Anne Pritchard, PhD, of the Australian Catholic University, Queensland, and colleagues wrote. “This study provides further support of elevated rates of autistic disorder and an associated subthreshold social communication profile in the preterm population, although our data suggest rates may not be as high as previously reported.”
Pritchard and colleagues studied two birth cohorts totaling 169 children aged 2 years or aged 4 years, born before 29 weeks of gestation. Children were administered the Modified Checklist of Autism in Toddlers–Follow-up Interview test, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G) screening test and other assessments.
Study results showed that 13% of participants screened positive for ASD (n = 22), and 1.8% received a confirmed diagnosis. The researchers said this prevalence was lower than in previous studies, saying it may have been due to the ADOS-G, which is “less sensitive to lower compared with higher threshold scores.” Children with a confirmed ASD diagnosis reached the highest ADOS-G threshold classification of autism. Almost all of the participants who scored below the ADOS-G threshold had at least some difficulty with social communication.
The researchers also found that risk was significantly elevated for co-occurring neurological development issues for 21 of those children who screened positive for ASD.
“Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms leading to an elevated prevalence of ASD in the preterm population,” Pritchard and colleagues wrote. “The current study highlights the need for assessment of ASD in children born preterm because of the heightened risk that symptoms may be overlooked due to the range of other developmental problems.” – by David Costill
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
