Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening at 18-36 Months in Infants with Moderate and Severe Neonatal Encephalopathy: Is
Birol Karabulut1, Begum Sahbudak1
1Karabulut, Izmir Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Izmir, Turkey. Sahbudak, Izmir Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Insights
Neonatal Encephalopathy (NE) increases the risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study found a higher incidence of ASD in infants with moderate to severe NE, highlighting the need for long-term follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neonatology
Background:
- Hypoxia, acidosis, and inflammation during infancy can impair neuronal development.
- Neonatal Encephalopathy (NE) is associated with an increased risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of ASD in infants diagnosed with moderate to severe NE who underwent therapeutic hypothermia.
- To assess the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in NE survivors.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study included infants with moderate and severe NE requiring therapeutic hypothermia.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) screening was performed using the M-CHAT at 18-36 months of age.
- Infants with positive M-CHAT results underwent psychiatric examinations for diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Out of 85 NE infants, 33 were included in the study.
- M-CHAT screening was positive in 6 infants and negative in 27.
- One infant was diagnosed with ASD, one with ADHD, and two with no psychiatric disorder after clinical examination.
Conclusions:
- The study indicates an elevated risk of ASD in infants with moderate and severe NE.
- This association warrants consideration in the long-term clinical management and follow-up of NE patients.
Background:
Hypoxia, acidosis, and inflammation cause impairment of neuronal development due to lack of sufficient oxygen and nutrition, and there may be an increased risk of ASD in neonates with Neonatal Encephalopathy (NE). To evaluate the frequency of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in moderate and severe NE requiring therapeutic hypothermia at 18-36 months.
Methods:
In this prospective study, infants with moderate and severe NE requiring hypothermia were included.
Results:
Throughout the study period, 33 of 85 neonates with NE admitted to our unit were included in the study. M-CHAT results of six infants included in the study showed positive and results of twenty-seven patients were negative. Four of six infants with a positive screening test completed a psychiatric examination, and two infants did not complete the clinical examination. The results of the examination showed that one infant was diagnosed with ASD, one was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and two infants were diagnosed with no psychiatric disorder.
Conclusion:
Our results showed that the risk of ASD increases in infants with moderate and severe NE, and this relationship should be considered in long-term clinical follow-ups.
More Related Videos
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
05:58Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor Cerebral Function Monitor to Neonates
Published on: September 6, 2017
