Low birthweight infants have five times rate of autism

R

runawaybunny

Guest
Autism researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing have found a link between low birthweight and children diagnosed with autism, reporting premature infants are five times more likely to have autism than children born at normal weights.

The children, some born as small as about a pound, were followed for 21 years making this study, published in the prestigious journal Pediatrics, one of the most remarkable of its kind. The infants were born between September 1984 through July 1987 in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties in New Jersey at birthweights from 500 to 2000 grams or a maximum of about 4.4 pounds.

"As survival of the smallest and most immature babies improves, impaired survivors represent an increasing public health challenge," wrote lead author Jennifer Pinto-Martin, MPH, PhD, director of the Center Centers for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research and Epidemiology (CADDRE) at Penn Nursing. "Emerging studies suggest that low birthweight may be a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders."

Links between low birthweight and a range of motor and cognitive problems have been well established for some time, but this is the first study that establishes that these children are also at increased risk for autism spectrum disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)).

"Cognitive problems in these children may mask underlying autism," said Dr. Pinto-Martin. "If there is suspicion of autism or a positive screening test for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), parents should seek an evaluation for an Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Early intervention improves long-term outcome and can help these children both at school and at home."

In future studies, Penn researchers will investigate possible links between brain hemorrhage, a complication of premature birth, and autism by examining brain ultrasounds taken of these children as newborns.

The researchers, including a team at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, followed 862 children from birth to young adulthood finding that five percent of the children were diagnosed with autism, compared to one percent of the general population in what researchers called "the first study to have estimated the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) . . . using research validated diagnostic instruments."


Story Source:
The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

Study Reference:
The $3 million study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Disclaimer:
This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ConductDisorders or its staff.
 

DS3

New Member
Interesting little fact about preemies -They are 75% more likely to have a mental disorder then those born at term. This includes Autism and ADHD, Learning Disorders, Conduct disorders, etc. So it doesn't surprise me that they were able to link Autism to preemies. They have a higher percentage from the start. I do find it interesting to see what the research is showing in regards to preemies (difficult child is one). I look forward to more results. :)
 

InsaneCdn

Well-Known Member
I'm not surprised, when you consider that most of these ( Autism and ADHD, Learning Disorders, etc.) are developmental conditions... and being a premie messes up the normal development process.
 
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