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Incomplete Gestation has an Impact on Cognitive Abilities in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Maëva Brayette1, Elie Saliba1,2, Joëlle Malvy3,2

  • 1Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, CHRU de Tours, Tours, France.

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|July 4, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Children born moderately/late preterm (MLPT) or early term (ET) show no altered autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms but do experience modified cognitive development, impacting verbal and nonverbal skills.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Perinatal medicine
  • Developmental psychology

Background:

  • Extreme prematurity is a known risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • The impact of moderate and late preterm (MLPT) and early term (ET) births on ASD phenotypes is less understood.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for early intervention and support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the phenotypic characteristics of ASD in children born MLPT and ET compared to full-term.
  • To analyze the effects of incomplete gestation on behavioral profiles and cognitive abilities in children with ASD.
  • To identify specific cognitive impacts associated with MLPT and ET births in neurodevelopmentally vulnerable children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 254 children diagnosed with ASD, aged 3-15 years.
  • Categorization of participants based on gestational age: MLPT, ET, and full-term.
  • Assessment of behavioral profiles and cognitive abilities, including verbal and nonverbal skills.

Main Results:

  • MLPT and ET births did not significantly alter ASD symptomatology.
  • However, MLPT and ET births were associated with modified cognitive development in children with ASD.
  • Incomplete gestation negatively impacted both verbal and nonverbal cognitive abilities.

Conclusions:

  • Gestational age at birth, specifically MLPT and ET, influences cognitive development in children with ASD.
  • Incomplete gestation presents a neurodevelopmental vulnerability affecting cognitive skills in children with ASD.
  • Further research is needed to explore targeted interventions for cognitive support in this population.

Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorderCognitive abilitiesEarly termModerately and late preterm

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