Fetal brain growth and infant autistic traits
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 find...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Molecular Autism |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-024-00586-5 |
| _version_ | 1797274404440244224 |
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| author | Ezra Aydin Alex Tsompanidis Daren Chaplin Rebecca Hawkes Carrie Allison Gerald Hackett Topun Austin Eglė Padaigaitė Lidia V. Gabis John Sucking Rosemary Holt Simon Baron-Cohen |
| author_facet | Ezra Aydin Alex Tsompanidis Daren Chaplin Rebecca Hawkes Carrie Allison Gerald Hackett Topun Austin Eglė Padaigaitė Lidia V. Gabis John Sucking Rosemary Holt Simon Baron-Cohen |
| author_sort | Ezra Aydin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:58:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d7221dd9acfe4822b9db122d90c77d58 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2040-2392 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:58:53Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecular Autism |
| spelling | doaj.art-d7221dd9acfe4822b9db122d90c77d582024-03-05T19:19:06ZengBMCMolecular Autism2040-23922024-02-0115111010.1186/s13229-024-00586-5Fetal brain growth and infant autistic traitsEzra Aydin0Alex Tsompanidis1Daren Chaplin2Rebecca Hawkes3Carrie Allison4Gerald Hackett5Topun Austin6Eglė Padaigaitė7Lidia V. Gabis8John Sucking9Rosemary Holt10Simon Baron-Cohen11Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia UniversityAutism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of CambridgeThe Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation TrustThe Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation TrustAutism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of CambridgeThe Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation TrustThe Rosie Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation TrustWolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health, Cardiff UniversityTel Aviv University, Wolfson Hospital and Maccabi healthcareNIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research CentreAutism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of CambridgeAutism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of CambridgeAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-024-00586-5Early brain developmentUltrasoundTranscerebellar diameterQ-CHATAutistic traits |
| spellingShingle | Ezra Aydin Alex Tsompanidis Daren Chaplin Rebecca Hawkes Carrie Allison Gerald Hackett Topun Austin Eglė Padaigaitė Lidia V. Gabis John Sucking Rosemary Holt Simon Baron-Cohen Fetal brain growth and infant autistic traits Molecular Autism Early brain development Ultrasound Transcerebellar diameter Q-CHAT Autistic traits |
| title | Fetal brain growth and infant autistic traits |
| title_full | Fetal brain growth and infant autistic traits |
| title_fullStr | Fetal brain growth and infant autistic traits |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fetal brain growth and infant autistic traits |
| title_short | Fetal brain growth and infant autistic traits |
| title_sort | fetal brain growth and infant autistic traits |
| topic | Early brain development Ultrasound Transcerebellar diameter Q-CHAT Autistic traits |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-024-00586-5 |
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