Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2025
A Semantic Priming Event-related Potential ERP Task to Study Lexico-semantic and Visuo-semantic Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 12, 2018
Comparing autism phenotypes in children born extremely preterm and born at term
Robert M Joseph1, Emily R Lai1, Somer Bishop2
1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Children born extremely preterm (EP) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show similar core symptoms to term-born peers. However, EP children with ASD had fewer stereotyped behaviors, lower growth, and more language delays.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Children born preterm face higher autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risks.
- Limited understanding exists regarding phenotypic differences in ASD between preterm and term-born children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare core ASD symptoms and associated characteristics in extremely preterm (EP) versus term-born children diagnosed with ASD.
- Investigate developmental, anthropometric, and psychiatric differences.
Main Methods:
- Matched cohort study comparing 59 extremely preterm (EP) children with term-born children with ASD.
- Utilized Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) for symptom assessment.
- Evaluated developmental milestones, growth, seizures, and psychiatric symptoms.
Main Results:
- EP children with ASD had lower parent-reported stereotyped language and repetitive behaviors on ADI-R.
- No significant differences in nonverbal communication or social interaction were observed between groups via ADI-R or ADOS-2.
- EP children exhibited more delayed speech milestones and lower physical growth parameters.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral ASD presentation is largely similar between EP and term-born children at age 10.
- EP-born children with ASD showed less severe stereotyped behaviors, reduced physical growth, and increased language delays.
- Findings highlight specific developmental considerations for preterm-born children with ASD.
Abstract:
Children born preterm are at increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There is limited knowledge about whether ASD phenotypes in children born preterm differ from children born at term. The objective of this study was to compare ASD core symptoms and associated characteristics among extremely preterm (EP) and term-born children with ASD. EP participants (n = 59) from the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborn Study who met diagnostic criteria for ASD at approximately 10 years of age were matched with term-born participants from the Simons Simplex Collection on age, sex, spoken language level, and nonverbal IQ. Core ASD symptomatology was evaluated with the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Developmental milestones, anthropometrics, seizure disorder, and psychiatric symptoms were also investigated. The EP group had lower parent-reported symptom scores on ADI-R verbal communication, specifically stereotyped language, and restricted, repetitive behaviors. There were no between-group differences on ADI-R nonverbal communication and ADI-R reciprocal social interaction or with direct observation on the ADOS-2. The EP group was more likely to have delayed speech milestones and lower physical growth parameters. Results from female-only analyses were similar to those from whole-group analyses. In sum, behavioral presentation was similar between EP and IQ- and sex-matched term-born children assessed at age 10 years, with the exception of less severe retrospectively reported stereotyped behaviors, lower physical growth parameters, and increased delays in language milestones among EP-born children with ASD.
