Screening preterm-born infants for autistic traits may help to identify social communication difficulties at five
Héloise Torchin1,2, Muriel Tafflet1, Marie-Laure Charkaluk1,3
1Université Paris Cite, CRESS, Obstetrical Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team, EPOPE, French Institute for Medical Research and Health INSERM, INRAE, Paris, France.
Insights
Neurodevelopmental screening questionnaires at 2 years can identify preterm children at risk for later social communication difficulties. Early screening using tools like the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) improves identification of developmental trajectories.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Preterm-born children face increased risks for neurodevelopmental challenges.
- Early identification of social communication difficulties is crucial for timely intervention.
- Existing screening tools require validation for this specific population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare neurodevelopmental screening questionnaires administered at 2 years corrected age with social communication skills assessed at 5.5 years in preterm children.
- To determine the predictive value of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) for later social communication outcomes.
- To evaluate the association between early screening results and the risk of social communication difficulties at preschool age.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 2119 preterm children (24-34 weeks gestation) born in 2011 was studied.
- The ASQ and M-CHAT were administered at 2 years corrected age; the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) was used at 5.5 years.
- Children with motor or sensory impairments at 2 years were excluded.
Main Results:
- A positive M-CHAT score at 2 years significantly predicted higher risks of social communication difficulties at 5.5 years (OR 3.46, p < 0.001).
- Prevalence of autistic traits on M-CHAT and risk of social communication difficulties on SCQ did not significantly differ by gestational age subgroups.
- ASQ scores also showed similar predictive associations with social communication outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Parental neurodevelopmental screening questionnaires administered in early childhood are effective tools for identifying preterm-born children at risk for later social communication difficulties.
- The M-CHAT is a valuable screening instrument for predicting social communication challenges in preterm populations.
- These findings support the use of early screening to guide developmental surveillance and intervention for preterm infants.
Aim:
This study compared neurodevelopmental screening questionnaires completed when preterm-born children reached 2 years of corrected age with social communication skills at 5.5 years of age.
Methods:
Eligible subjects were born in 2011 at 24-34 weeks of gestation, participated in a French population-based epidemiological study and were free of motor and sensory impairment at 2 years of corrected age. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) were used at 2 years and the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) at 5.5 years of age.
Results:
We focused on 2119 children. At 2 years of corrected age, the M-CHAT showed autistic traits in 20.7%, 18.5% and 18.2% of the children born at 24-26, 27-31 and 32-34 weeks of gestation, respectively (p = 0.7). At 5.5 years of age, 12.6%, 12.7% and 9.6% risked social communication difficulties, with an SCQ score ≥90th percentile (p = 0.2). A positive M-CHAT score at 2 years was associated with higher risks of social communication difficulties at 5.5 years of age (odds ratio 3.46, 95% confidence interval 2.04-5.86, p < 0.001). Stratifying ASQ scores produced similar results.
Conclusion:
Using parental neurodevelopmental screening questionnaires for preterm-born children helped to identify the risk of later social communication difficulties.
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