More Evidence Preemies Face Increased Risk of Autism
Thursday, January 29, 2009 15:15We already know that researchers are finding an increased incidence of autistic traits in preemie toddlers, and now a much larger study has found a high rate of positive autism screening tests in preemies at the age of two. The new study, carried out at 14 hospitals in 5 states, studied babies born more than 3 months premature. Researchers looked at autism screening results at a developmental evaluation at two years of age.
Typically, when the modified checklist for autism in toddlers (M-CHAT) is administered to a toddler in a well child exam setting, 5.7% of kids will screen positive. Overall, 21% of the preemies in this study had a positive M-CHAT. Researchers did note that having multiple physical disabilities contributed to some kids screening positive when they probably didn’t have true autistic traits. However, when they excluded children with motor, hearing or vision handicaps, 10% of the remaining kids still screened positive for autism on the M-CHAT. That is nearly 2 times the rate of positive screens found in the general population. Note: I know the press release says 16%, but I’ve found two other sources that say 10%, so I’ll go with the more conservative number until I find the study myself. I found the study. It because available on the 30th. You can check it out here.
While further testing is required to know which preemies with positive screening tests actually have a diagnosable autism spectrum disorder, this high rate of social and developmental warning signs in premature toddlers is worrisome. Preemies face the risk of many health and developmental problems throughout their lives. This study gives us more evidence that normal social development is in some way impaired by preterm birth.
Edited: I finally found the original study in full-text. I was just looking a day too soon. You can check it out here. You can also see a press release here.
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Jennifer Larson-New PFC says:
January 29th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
This has become such a huge problem; really of epidemic preportions. I can’t say it’s a good thing that preemies may be more at risk, but at least it looks as though there may be some breakthroughs as far as answer go.
What are the studies, if any, on how nutrition impacts the chances of either getting Autism or helping alleviate its symptoms. Being big on healthy living myself, I can’t help but think there may be some type of link here.
Kristie says:
January 29th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
It’s definitely possible that studying the differences in the brains, development, etc of preemies might give us some more clues about the causes of autism. I don’t know of particular studies on autism and nutrition off the top of my head, but there was a study that just came out that showed that preemie girls who got extra DHA did better cognitively. We know that preemies loose out on a critical period of brain development, as well as time to build up omega fatty acids from mom, so it could all be connected.
-Kristie
Nile says:
January 29th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
(blondishnet @ twitter)
When I was pregnant with my son Angel over 6 years ago, I always feared that he might have autism until he was 2 weeks late. However, anyone expecting always fear the worst at some point or another.
This is one artical that expecting mothers should read. That way they can find out what they need to help their baby develope well.
bob says:
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:41 am
Maybe if they stop putting mercury and/or alum in vaccines autism would vanish…..
Kristie says:
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
Perhaps, but I doubt it. Either way, it doesn’t explain why preemies have more autistic traits.