Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Premature Subjects Hospitalized in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Bibliographic Data

ID15470216
AuthorsNorrara Scarlytt de Oliveira Holanda (0000-0003-3451-7799, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte), Lidiane Delgado Oliveira da Costa (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte), Sabrinne Suelen Santos Sampaio (0000-0002-8915-7412, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte), Gentil Gomes da Fonseca Filho (0000-0001-6980-2202, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte), Ruth Batista Bezerra Fagundes (0000-0002-6315-5419, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte), Ingrid Guerra Azevedo (0000-0001-7305-7583, Universidad Católica de Temuco, corresponding author), Silvana Alves Pereira (0000-0002-6226-2837, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte)
Year2020
Volume17
Issue20
Pages7675-7675
Publication date2020-10-21
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17207675
PMID33096698
OpenAlexW3094516206
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited34

Considering that the average age for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is 4-5 years, testing screening methods for ASD risk in early infancy is a public health priority. This study aims to identify the risks for development of ASD in children born prematurely and hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and explore the association with pre-, peri- and postnatal factors. Methods : The children's families were contacted by telephone when their child was between 18 and 24 months of age, to apply the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). The sample consisted of 40 children (57.5% boys). M-CHAT screening revealed that 50% of the sample showed early signs of ASD. Although the frequency of delayed development was higher in boys, this difference was not statistically significant between the sexes ( p = 0.11). Assessment of the association between perinatal conditions and early signs of autism in children hospitalized in an NICU exhibited no correlation between the factors analyzed (birth weight and type of delivery). The findings indicate a high risk of ASD in premature children, demonstrating no associations with gestational and neonatal variables or the hospitalization conditions of the NICUs investigated

Autism · Autism spectrum disorder · Birth weight · Checklist · Gestational age · Intensive care · Intensive care medicine · Neonatal intensive care unit · Neurodevelopmental disorder · Pregnancy · Psychiatry · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Infant Development and Preterm Care · Medicine · Neonatal Respiratory Health Research · Psychology · Pediatrics

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