Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Incidence of autism in high risk neonatal follow up
Hussein S Mohammed1, Saeed H Wahass, Adel A Mahmoud
1National Neuroscience Institute, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence was higher in a neonatal follow-up program compared to the general population. Key risk factors identified include male gender, low birth weight, and premature birth.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric neurology
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis and risk factor assessment are crucial for early intervention.
- The High Risk Neonatal Follow up Program (HRNFP) serves a population with potential developmental vulnerabilities.
- Understanding ASD prevalence in specific neonatal cohorts is vital for public health initiatives in Saudi Arabia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within the High Risk Neonatal Follow up Program (HRNFP).
- To identify potential risk factors associated with ASD in this high-risk neonatal population.
- To provide insights into ASD epidemiology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective medical chart review was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, KSA.
- Patients in the HRNFP evaluated at 3 years corrected age between 2012 and 2013 were included.
- Data on potential risk factors including low birth weight, gestational age (<33 weeks), and male gender were collected.
Main Results:
- The overall ASD incidence rate in the HRNFP was 4.7% over the 2-year study period.
- Specific incidence rates were 5.1% in 2012 and 4.2% in 2013.
- Male gender, low birth weight, and gestational age less than 33 weeks were associated with a higher likelihood of ASD.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of ASD was found to be higher in the HRNFP cohort compared to the general community.
- The study highlights the importance of monitoring for ASD in high-risk neonatal populations.
- Further research is warranted to explore the identified risk factors in greater detail.
Objective:
To detect autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cases within the High Risk Neonatal Follow up Program (HRNFP), as an indicator of the prevalence of ASD and associated risk factors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Methods:
We conducted this retrospective medical chart review in a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, KSA. All patients admitted to the HRNFP were seen at 3 years corrected age between January 2012 and December 2013. Patients diagnosed with ASD from the HRNFP were referred to the King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) Autism Program for further assessment. The following potential risk factors for ASD were documented: low birth weight, gestational age less than 33 weeks, and male gender.
Results:
In 2012, 59 patients were evaluated in the HRNFP. Three cases were diagnosed with ASD, with an ASD incidence rate of 5.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] calculated by adjusted Wald method: 1.2-14.5%). In 2013, 48 patients were evaluated and 2 cases were diagnosed with ASD, with an ASD incidence rate of 4.2% (95% CI: 0.4%-14.8%). The total ASD incidence rate during the 2-year study period was 4.7% (95% CI: 1.7%-10.8%). Factors associated with a higher likelihood of ASD were: male gender, low birth weight, and gestational age less than 33 weeks.
Conclusion:
Compared with the community, the prevalence of ASD was higher in the HRNFP. Further investigation is required to evaluate risk factors.
More Related Videos
05:44Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development
Published on: May 17, 2024
11:14A Novel Experimental and Analytical Approach to the Multimodal Neural Decoding of Intent During Social Interaction in Freely-behaving Human Infants
Published on: October 4, 2015
