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Aydin E, Tsompanidis A, Chaplin D, Hawkes R, Allison C, Hackett G, Austin T, Padaigaitė E, Gabis LV, Sucking J, Holt R, Baron-Cohen S. Fetal brain growth and infant autistic traits. Mol Autism 2024; 15:11. [PMID: 38419120 PMCID: PMC10900793 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-024-00586-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Structural differences exist in the brains of autistic individuals. To date only a few studies have explored the relationship between fetal brain growth and later infant autistic traits, and some have used fetal head circumference (HC) as a proxy for brain development. These findings have been inconsistent. Here we investigate whether fetal subregional brain measurements correlate with autistic traits in toddlers. METHODS A total of 219 singleton pregnancies (104 males and 115 females) were recruited at the Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, UK. 2D ultrasound was performed at 12-, 20- and between 26 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, measuring head circumference (HC), ventricular atrium (VA) and transcerebellar diameter (TCD). A total of 179 infants were followed up at 18-20 months of age and completed the quantitative checklist for autism in toddlers (Q-CHAT) to measure autistic traits. RESULTS Q-CHAT scores at 18-20 months of age were positively associated with TCD size at 20 weeks and with HC at 28 weeks, in univariate analyses, and in multiple regression models which controlled for sex, maternal age and birth weight. LIMITATIONS Due to the nature and location of the study, ascertainment bias could also have contributed to the recruitment of volunteer mothers with a higher than typical range of autistic traits and/or with a significant interest in the neurodevelopment of their children. CONCLUSION Prenatal brain growth is associated with toddler autistic traits and this can be ascertained via ultrasound starting at 20 weeks gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezra Aydin
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Alex Tsompanidis
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daren Chaplin
- The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rebecca Hawkes
- The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carrie Allison
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gerald Hackett
- The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Topun Austin
- The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eglė Padaigaitė
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lidia V Gabis
- Tel Aviv University, Wolfson Hospital and Maccabi healthcare, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - John Sucking
- NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rosemary Holt
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Reetzke R, Singh V, Hong JS, Holingue CB, Kalb LG, Ludwig NN, Menon D, Pfeiffer DL, Landa RJ. Profiles and correlates of language and social communication differences among young autistic children. Front Psychol 2022; 13:936392. [PMID: 36148115 PMCID: PMC9485602 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.936392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Delays in early language development are characteristic of young autistic children, and one of the most recognizable first concerns that motivate parents to seek a diagnostic evaluation for their child. Although early language abilities are one of the strongest predictors of long-term outcomes, there is still much to be understood about the role of language impairment in the heterogeneous phenotypic presentation of autism. Using a person-centered, Latent Profile Analysis, we first aimed to identify distinct patterns of language and social communication ability in a clinic-based sample of 498 autistic children, ranging in age from 18 to 60 months (M = 33 mo, SD = 12 mo). Next, a multinomial logistic regression analysis was implemented to examine sociodemographic and child-based developmental differences among the identified language and social communication profiles. Three clinically meaningful profiles were identified from parent-rated and clinician-administered measures: Profile 1 (48% of the sample) “Relatively Low Language and Social Communication Abilities,” Profile 2 (34% of the sample) “Relatively Elevated Language and Social Communication Abilities,” and Profile 3 (18% of the sample) “Informant Discrepant Language and Relatively Elevated Social Communication Abilities.” Overall, young autistic children from the lowest-resource households exhibited the lowest language and social communication abilities, and the lowest non-verbal problem-solving and fine-motor skills, along with more features of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and atypical auditory processing. These findings highlight the need for effective community-based implementation strategies for young autistic children from low-resource households and underrepresented communities to improve access to individualized quality care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Reetzke
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Rachel Reetzke,
| | - Vini Singh
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ji Su Hong
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Calliope B. Holingue
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Luther G. Kalb
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Natasha N. Ludwig
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Deepa Menon
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Danika L. Pfeiffer
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rebecca J. Landa
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Sant N, Hotwani R, Palaskar P, Naqvi WM, Arora SP. Effectiveness of Early Physiotherapy in an Infant With a High Risk of Developmental Delay. Cureus 2021; 13:e16581. [PMID: 34434678 PMCID: PMC8380408 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.16581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Premature birth is the most common cause for a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) among neonates. Premature birth leads to prematurity, which is associated with complications such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), hyperbilirubinemia, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), intraventricular hemorrhage (periventricular leukomalacia), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and so on. These secondary complications are of great concern and need to be handled with care to prevent the further deterioration of the quality of life of the baby as he grows. So, the early physiotherapeutic interventional approach comes into light and plays an important role in neonatal care.This case study demonstrates an infant boy of seven months chronological age, who had a preterm birth history with a poor APGAR (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration) score and NICU stay during the first three months of life. He approached the physiotherapy outpatient department with a complaint of delayed motor milestones like an absence of head holding, rolling, opening of hand, as well as delayed social-emotional development, Ryles tube (RT) in situ, with frequent episodes of GERD, neck rotated to the left side, high irritability, tactile defensiveness of both hands, and difficulty in regulating his sensory systems. Outcome measures used were gross motor function measure (GMFM), sensory profile, and rotating chair test. Early interventional physiotherapy was given including neurodevelopmental techniques (NDT), oromotor stimulation, sensory integration, passive stretching, and myofascial release for six days per week with each session of 45 minutes. The results demonstrated the achievement of motor milestones till sitting independently, reduced episodes of GERD, discontinued RT in situ, improved mobility of neck on both sides, reduced irritability, and started reaching, grasping along with bimanual tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namrata Sant
- Physiotherapy, Mahatma Gandhi Mission (MGM) School of Physiotherapy, Aurangabad, IND
| | - Rinkle Hotwani
- Physiotherapy, Mahatma Gandhi Mission (MGM) School of Physiotherapy, Aurangabad, IND
| | - Pallavi Palaskar
- Physiotherapy, Mahatma Gandhi Mission (MGM) School of Physiotherapy, Aurangabad, IND
| | - Waqar M Naqvi
- Physiotherapy, Mahatma Gandhi Mission (MGM) School of Physiotherapy, Aurangabad, IND
- Physiotherapy, Mahatma Gandhi Mission (MGM) Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, IND
| | - Sakshi P Arora
- Physiotherapy, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College (RNPC), Wardha, IND
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Detection of Early Warning Signs in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8020164. [PMID: 33671540 PMCID: PMC7926898 DOI: 10.3390/children8020164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Due to the exponential increase of autism spectrum disorders’ prevalence in Western countries, it is necessary to improve early detection and intervention to enhance developmental milestones. This systematic review identified the most effective screening instrument, which can be used at an early age and which identifies the maximum number of autism cases. We identified several instruments with adequate predictive properties—the Autism Parent Screen for Infants (APSI), Battelle Development Inventory, second edition (BDI-2); Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA); First Year Inventory (FYI); Infant-Toddler Checklist/Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile (ITC/CSBS-DP); Program of Research and Studies on AUTISM (PREAUT-Grid); Checklist for Early Signs of Developmental Disorders (CESDD); Social Attention and Communication Study (SACS); and the Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT)—that can be applied from 12 months of age in Western countries. The ITC/CSBS-DP has been proposed for universal screening from 12 months of age onwards, complemented by the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised/Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F), which can be used from 15 months of age onwards. This strategy could improve early detection in at-risk children within the current health system, thus allowing for early intervention.
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Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder in Toddlers Born Very Preterm: Estimated Prevalence and Usefulness of Screeners and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 51:1508-1527. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04573-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Piccardi ES, Johnson MH, Gliga T. Explaining individual differences in infant visual sensory seeking. INFANCY 2020; 25:677-698. [PMID: 32748567 PMCID: PMC7496506 DOI: 10.1111/infa.12356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Individual differences in infants’ engagement with their environment manifest early in development and are noticed by parents. Three views have been advanced to explain differences in seeking novel stimulation. The optimal stimulation hypothesis suggests that individuals seek further stimulation when they are under‐responsive to current sensory input. The processing speed hypothesis proposes that those capable of processing information faster are driven to seek stimulation more frequently. The information prioritization hypothesis suggests the differences in stimulation seeking index variation in the prioritization of incoming relative to ongoing information processing. Ten‐month‐old infants saw 10 repetitions of a video clip and changes in frontal theta oscillatory amplitude were measured as an index of information processing speed. Stimulus‐locked P1 peak amplitude in response to checkerboards briefly overlaid on the video at random points during its presentation indexed processing of incoming stimulation. Parental report of higher visual seeking did not relate to reduced P1 peak amplitude or to a stronger decrease in frontal theta amplitude with repetition, thus not supporting either the optimal stimulation or the processing speed hypotheses. Higher visual seeking occurred in those infants whose P1 peak amplitude was greater than expected based on their theta amplitude. These findings indicate that visual sensory seeking in infancy is explained by a bias toward novel stimulation, thus supporting the information prioritization hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Serena Piccardi
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck University of London, London, UK
| | - Mark H Johnson
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck University of London, London, UK.,Department of Psychology, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Teodora Gliga
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck University of London, London, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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Predicting cognitive development and early symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in preterm children: The value of temperament and sensory processing. Infant Behav Dev 2020; 59:101442. [PMID: 32438142 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2020.101442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study was the first to longitudinally explore the extent to which early temperament and sensory processing were of predictive value for cognitive development and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptomatology in a sample of preterm children (N = 50, 22 girls, mean gestational age 27 weeks). At the corrected ages of 10, 18, and 24 months, sensory processing and temperament were assessed, as were cognitive development and ASD symptoms at 36 months. Better cognitive development was predicted by fewer hospitalisation days at birth and by lower Activity Level at 18 months. Temperamental subscales of Negative Affect showed associations with both parent-reported and observational measures of ASD symptomatology, whereas sensory processing only had predictive value for parent-reported symptoms of ASD. The usefulness of temperament and sensory processing for prediction of ASD symptom severity and cognitive outcomes became clear in the second year of life. The results indicate that this area of research is worth additional investigation in the extreme and very preterm population, to explore in further detail whether these two concepts might be able to provide information about which preterms are more likely to develop ASD or cognitive impairments.
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Niutanen U, Harra T, Lano A, Metsäranta M. Systematic review of sensory processing in preterm children reveals abnormal sensory modulation, somatosensory processing and sensory-based motor processing. Acta Paediatr 2020; 109:45-55. [PMID: 31350861 DOI: 10.1111/apa.14953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM Preterm birth poses concerns in daily functioning and behaviour in childhood, possibly connected to sensory processing disorder. This review aimed to systematically identify assessments, incidence and nature of sensory processing disorder in preterm-born infants and children. METHODS We searched literature through CINAHL-EBSCOhost, Cochrane, Ovid/PsychINFO, PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Google Scholar, published until November 2018. We included electronically available, peer-reviewed studies of preterm-born children that applied standardised sensory processing assessments. We excluded studies of preterm-born children with major neurodevelopmental impairments. RESULTS We identified 27 studies of premature children, aged from birth to 9 years 7 months. The assessments represented three versions of Sensory Profile questionnaires and three clinical tests, Test of Sensory Functions in Infants, the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers, and the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test. The studies revealed wide variation of atypical sensory processing: 28%-87% in sensory modulation, 9%-70% in somatosensory processing and 20%-70% in sensory-based motor processing. CONCLUSION Preterm-born children exhibited elevated risk for sensory processing disorder from infancy into school age. Routine screening of sensory processing, intervention intervals and parental consultations should be considered in ameliorating sensory processing and neurocognitive development. Moreover, a larger body of intervention studies is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulla Niutanen
- New Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
| | - Toini Harra
- Participation and Human Functioning Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Helsinki Finland
| | - Aulikki Lano
- New Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
| | - Marjo Metsäranta
- New Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital Helsinki Finland
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Niedźwiecka A, Domasiewicz Z, Kawa R, Tomalski P, Pisula E. Sensory processing in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/17405629.2019.1676715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Niedźwiecka
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Rafał Kawa
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Przemysław Tomalski
- Developmental Psychology Unit, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
- Institute of Psychology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Pisula
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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