Researchers have long seen signs of autism in children born prematurely, and some studies have suggested that such signs can develop into full-blown autism in childhood. A study out Monday suggests that complications during pregnancy and early life may be responsible for this early risk.
It's unclear just how many children born prematurely will develop autism. The study, in the November issue of Pediatrics, included 1216 children with autistic disorders and 6080 without.
When Dr. Susanne Buchmayer and colleagues from the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, took various factors into account, children who were born at 31 weeks of pregnancy or earlier were about 1.5 times as likely to develop autism compared to babies born at full term. Those born from 32 to 36 weeks were about 1.3 times as likely to develop the condition.
However, when they took complications of pregnancy and early life into account, there were no significant differences between babies born at 36 weeks and earlier and those born later, suggesting that the complications themselves, and not the prematurity, were the link.
For example, preeclampsia - a life-threatening condition marked by high blood pressure, fluid retention and protein in urine -- was associated with greater than 50 percent increased risk of an autistic disorder in children.
Other complications linked to an increased risk: babies born small for the length of pregnancy, low infant blood sugar, birth defects, and infant seizures.
The also authors point out that the majority of children with autism were born at term, and call for research into whether preventing the complications of birth could prevent the disorder.
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2 comments:
This was very informative. I have a 7-year old son whom was born 10 weeks early due to complications with preeclampsia and fetal distress. He weighed 3 lb. 4 oz. - an above-average weight for his gestational age - and required venthilation for breathing assistance and gavage tubing for feeding. He also suffered a Grade I intracranial brain hemorrhage. He was in the NICU for 6 weeks before coming home.
He was our first and we didn't recognize signs of autism of years. Just as many unfamiliar with ASD, we pictured "Rain Man". When our son entered Kindergarten we approached his teacher about our seedling concerns and she agreed. Within 3 months he had been tested, evaluated and observed and it was decided that he does fall on the high-functioning side of the spectrum. We are in the process of getting him clinically diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.
After research we'd found that the cause was most likely his prematurity and intracranial brain bleed.
We've had 2 other children. One was born at 35 weeks due to preeclampsia and we find him to be perfectly neurotypical. Our youngest was born at 39 weeks due to preeclampsia and she also seems neurotypical. We are expecting again in April and we're preparing for another preeclampisa.
I have had 3 prem babies - 26.5 wks, 34.5 weeks and 33.3 weeks. The 26.5 weeker is nearly 7 and shows no signs of autism. Our 34.5 weeker(nearly 4) has flapped his arms and shown traits of autism - ie lining up of cars and gazing at them for long periods of time. He is currently under the health system, to receive additional help to reach his milestones etc and help with communications skills, which thankfully he is progressing well with. He is a sociable wee boy, but has an "awkwardness" at times. Our 33.3 weeker (10month) has just started to twist his feet and his hands when excited just like his older brother (34.5wk) at the same age. I have always wondered if there was a "name" "syndrome" for what they have. Aspergers etc has been ruled out.
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