Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 10, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

88.5K

Risk factors for autism spectrum disorder among infants and children admitted in a neonatal intensive care unit

Marwa Magdy Mohamed1, Safaa AbdELHamid ELMeneza2, Safaa Mahmoud Hammouda3

  • 1Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Egypt.

Dialogues in Health
|April 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects 9.1% of infants with NICU stays. Risk factors include prematurity and respiratory support needs, highlighting the need for early screening in high-risk infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Neonatal Medicine

Background:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
  • Infants and children admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) may face increased risks.
  • Identifying early indicators and risk factors for ASD in this population is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of ASD in children with a history of NICU admission.
  • To identify significant risk factors associated with ASD development in this cohort.
  • To explore neurophysiological markers using Auditory Brain Response (ABR) in relation to ASD.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 66 pediatric outpatients under 3 years old with prior NICU admission.
  • Utilized the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition (CARS-2St) questionnaire for ASD assessment.
  • Employed Auditory Brain Response (ABR) testing to evaluate auditory pathway function.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of ASD was found to be 9.1% (6 out of 66 children).
  • Significant risk factors included premature rupture of membranes, prematurity, extended NICU stay duration, and need for respiratory support.
  • ABR testing revealed significantly increased latencies and intervals in children with ASD, indicating auditory pathway abnormalities.

Conclusions:

  • The study highlights a notable prevalence of ASD among children with a NICU history.
  • Early screening for ASD is recommended for infants and children with NICU admission, even without other apparent neurological signs.
  • Findings support further research into neurophysiological markers for early ASD detection in at-risk infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
Auditory brainstem response (ABR)Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)CARS-2-St-testHigh-risk infantsNICUNewborn infants

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