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Autism spectrum disorders in extremely preterm children

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Johnson, Samantha J., Hollis, Chris, Kochhar, Puja, Hennessy, Enid M., Wolke, Dieter and Marlow, Neil (2010) Autism spectrum disorders in extremely preterm children. Journal of Pediatrics, Vol.156 (No.4). pp. 525-531. ISSN 0022-3476

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.10.041

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence, correlates, and antecedents of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in extremely preterm children.
Study design

We conducted a prospective study of all births <26 weeks gestation in the United Kingdom and Ireland in 1995. Of 307 survivors at 11 years, 219 (71%) were assessed and compared with 153 term-born classmates. Parents completed the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) to assess autism spectrum symptoms, and ASD were diagnosed by using a psychiatric evaluation. An IQ test and clinical evaluation were also administered. Longitudinal outcome data were available for extremely preterm children.
Results

Extremely preterm children had significantly higher SCQ scores than classmates (mean difference, 4.6 points; 95% CI, 3.4-5.8). Sixteen extremely preterm children (8%) were assigned an ASD diagnosis, compared with none of the classmates. By hospital discharge, male sex, lower gestation, vaginal breech delivery, abnormal cerebral ultrasound scanning results, and not having had breast milk were independently associated with autism spectrum symptoms. By 6 years, independent associates were cognitive impairment, inattention and peer problems, withdrawn behavior at 2.5 years, and not having had breast milk.
Conclusions

Extremely preterm children are at increased risk for autism spectrum symptoms and ASD in middle childhood. These symptoms and disorders were associated with neurocognitive outcomes, suggesting that ASD may result from abnormal brain development in this population.

Item Type:	Submitted Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Psychology Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Autism spectrum disorders -- Great Britain -- Research, Premature infants -- Development, Developmental psychobiology -- Research, Developmental psychology
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Pediatrics
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0022-3476
Official Date:	2010
Volume:	Vol.156
Number:	No.4
Page Range:	pp. 525-531
Identification Number:	10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.10.041
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/2688