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Published on: April 22, 2015
Prenatal exposure to hypoxic risk conditions in autistic and neurotypical youth: Associated ventricular differences,
Cristian Preciado1, Maria Baida2, Yi Li2
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
Insights
Prenatal hypoxic risk (oxygen deprivation) was more common in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This exposure was linked to larger third ventricle volumes and worsened sensory and sleep issues in ASD.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) research
- Perinatal health and developmental outcomes
Background:
- Emerging research links prenatal and perinatal conditions to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presentation.
- Prenatal and perinatal hypoxic risk (HR) involves oxygen deprivation during pregnancy and birth.
- Investigating HR's impact on ASD neurodevelopment is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the incidence of hypoxic risk (HR) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) versus neurotypical control (NTC) youth.
- To examine ventricular morphology variations associated with HR exposure in ASD.
- To evaluate associations between HR, brain structure, and clinical symptoms in ASD.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 104 youth.
- Comparison of hypoxic risk (HR) incidence between ASD and neurotypical control (NTC) groups.
- Analysis of ventricular morphology (third ventricle volume) and clinical symptoms (sensory dysfunction, sleep disturbances).
Main Results:
- Higher incidence of prenatal hypoxic conditions observed in the ASD group.
- ASD individuals with prenatal HR exposure showed larger third ventricle volumes compared to ASD-HR and NTC-HR.
- Prenatal HR exposure associated with third ventricle volume, sensory dysfunction, and sleep disturbances in ASD.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal hypoxic risk conditions may exacerbate or modify the neurodevelopmental trajectory and symptom severity in ASD.
- Findings highlight the need for improved prenatal care to reduce hypoxic risk.
- Targeted interventions may be necessary for individuals with ASD exposed to prenatal HR.
Abstract:
There is a growing body of research that suggests conditions during the period of pregnancy and birth can affect how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents itself. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of oxygen deprivation during this period known as prenatal and perinatal hypoxic risk (HR) conditions in ASD compared with neurotypical control (NTC) youth. We also examined ventricular morphology variations associated with HR exposure, and to evaluate associations with clinical symptoms. Results from a cohort of 104 youth revealed a higher incidence of exposure to prenatal hypoxic conditions in the ASD group. Additionally, ASD individuals with prenatal hypoxic exposure (ASD + HR) demonstrated larger third ventricle volumes compared with both ASD and NTC individuals without such exposure (ASD-HR and NTC-HR, respectively). Furthermore, associations were identified between prenatal hypoxic exposure, third ventricle volume, sensory dysfunction, and severity of sleep disturbances. These findings suggest exposure to prenatal hypoxic risk conditions may exacerbate or modify the neurodevelopmental trajectory and symptom severity in ASD, emphasizing the need for better prenatal care and specific interventions to reduce these risks.
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