Agrawal S, Rao SC, Bulsara MK, Patole SK. Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Preterm Infants: A Meta-analysis.
Pediatrics 2018;
142:peds.2018-0134. [PMID:
30076190 DOI:
10.1542/peds.2018-0134]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT
Evidence is emerging that preterm infants are at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
OBJECTIVES
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of ASD in preterm infants.
DATA SOURCES
Medline (via PubMed and Ovid), Embase, PsycINFO, and relevant conference proceedings were searched in May 2017.
STUDY SELECTION
Original studies in which researchers report on the prevalence of ASD using diagnostic tests in children born preterm were included. Studies in which researchers used only ASD screening tools were excluded.
DATA EXTRACTION
Relevant data were extracted independently by 3 authors.
RESULTS
Researchers in a total of 18 studies (3366 preterm infants) used ASD diagnostic tools. The median gestation, birth weight, and age at assessment were 28.0 weeks (range: 25.1-31.3 weeks), 1055 g (range: 719-1565 g), and 5.7 years (range: 1.5-21 years), respectively. Meta-analysis revealed that the overall prevalence rate for ASD was 7% (95% confidence interval: 4% to 9%). The funnel plot and Egger's test revealed that there was probably no evidence of publication bias.
LIMITATIONS
The limitations were significant heterogeneity and a lack of studies from middle- and low-income countries.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of ASD is significantly high in the preterm population. Adequate resources are needed to improve the outcomes of these children.
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