Autism is likely to occur five times more often in premature
babies. These numbers could account for
growing rates of the condition. The
report was documented in the American Journal of Pediatrics.
The report focused on 600+ children in New Jersey born
between 1984 and ’87. The children weighed
less than 4 lbs. The 5% rate is higher
than the 1% rate for all children found by the US Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
“I was quite surprised to see that it was five times as
high,” said Jennifer Pinto-Martin, a professor at the University of
Pennsylvania and the study’s lead author. “Parents of preemies need to be
especially aware of the potential for this and really pay attention to what’s
happening with their children.”
Researchers followed the children through age 21. They were examined periodically. An autism screening at 16 showed that close
to 19% may have the condition.
Preemies and autism: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/10/17/preemies-risk-autism/14246/
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