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Antenatal ultrasound value in risk calculation for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A systematic review to support future
Francesca Fulceri1, Andrea Guzzetta2, Argyro Athanasiadou3
1Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, I-56018, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
Insights
Antenatal ultrasound findings may indicate early risks for neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder. However, current evidence is limited and requires further research for reliable prediction.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Prenatal Medicine
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Neurodevelopment is influenced by fetal life processes.
- Early identification of neurodevelopmental disorders is crucial for optimizing outcomes.
- Antenatal risk factors for postnatal social impairments are of growing research interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review antenatal ultrasound data as potential early risk indicators for postnatal social impairments.
- To summarize findings on fetal ultrasound measurements associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed and PsycINFO databases.
- Studies included fetal ultrasound measurements and postnatal neurodevelopmental outcome assessments.
- 26 studies were selected from an initial 3203 articles after eligibility assessment.
Main Results:
- Some antenatal ultrasound alterations (e.g., biophysical data, nuchal thickness, enlarged cerebral ventricles) have been linked to autism spectrum disorder.
- However, the available data are limited, controversial, and lack specificity.
- Further research is needed to validate these findings.
Conclusions:
- Antenatal ultrasound measurements show potential as early risk indicators for neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Current evidence is insufficient for definitive diagnostic or predictive use.
- Further investigation is strongly supported, particularly for fetuses at high risk for autism spectrum disorder.
Abstract:
There is a growing research interest on the antenatal features of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Indeed, it has been proved that the neurodevelopment is, at least partly, affected by processes occurring in fetal life and that the early neurodevelopmental disorders identification is essential to optimize long-term outcomes. This systematic review aims to summarize findings on antenatal ultrasound data, which are or might be considered early risk indexes of postnatal social impairments. We conducted systematic searches in Pubmed and PsychINFO databases to identify studies including fetal ultrasound measurements and postnatal neurodevelopmental outcome assessment. The bibliographic search included 3203 articles but after the assessment of the eligibility conducted by two independent researchers, only 26 studies were selected. Some alterations in ultrasound antenatal measurements (such as biophysical data, nuchal thickness and enlargement of cerebral ventricles) have been associated to autism spectrum disorder. However, data are still limited, controversial and not specific. Reported data are here discussed to strongly support studies on fetuses at high risk for autism spectrum disorder.
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