BackgroundStudies of children with very low birth weight (VLBW, 1,000–1,500 g) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW, less than 1,000 g) indicate that this population seems to be at increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).MethodsParents of 101 VLBW and ELBW children (age 2 years, corrected for prematurity) agreed to participate in the study and signed informed consents; however, parents of only 75 children (44 boys, 31 girls) completed the screening questionnaires. The screening battery included the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler Checklist (CSBS-DP-ITC), and the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP). Children with disabilities were excluded. All children who screened positive on any of the screening tools were subsequently invited for a detailed assessment.ResultsThirty-two children (42.7%) screened positive on at least one of the screening questionnaires. The screening tool with the most positive results was the CSBS-DP-ITC (26 positive screens), followed by the M-CHAT (19 positive screens) and the ITSP (11 positive screens). Of the 32 children who tested positive, 19 participated in the detailed follow-up assessment. A diagnosis of ASD was confirmed in eight of the 19 children. ASD prevalence, calculated from those 19 children and those with negative screening results (43 children), yielded a prevalence of 12.9% in the sample. The difference in frequency of positive screens between the tests was significant (P=0.011). In pair comparisons, ITSP was found to be significantly less positive than CSBS-DP-ITC (P=0.032). No significant differences were found between the M-CHAT and CSBS-DP-ITC or between the M-CHAT and ITSP.ConclusionThe results strongly support the hypothesis of an increased prevalence of autism in children with a birth weight less than 1,500 g.

BackgroundPreterm children seem to be at increased risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD).MethodsParents of 157 children with birth weights less than 1,500 g (age 2 years, corrected for prematurity; 88 boys, 69 girls) completed screening questionnaires. The screening battery included the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler Checklist (CSBS-DP-ITC), and the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP). Children with disabilities were excluded. All children who screened positive on any of the screening tools were subsequently assessed by clinical examination including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule.ResultsFifty-six children (35.7%) screened positive on at least one of the parental screening questionnaires. Of the 56 children who tested positive, 33 participated in the detailed clinical follow-up assessment. A diagnosis of ASD was confirmed in 13 of the 33 children. The ASD prevalence was 9.7% of the sample. Analysis of children with and without an ASD diagnosis found significant differences relative to gestational age (26.9 weeks vs 28.3 weeks, P=0.033) and length of the stay in hospital (89.5 days vs 75.4 days, P=0.042). The screening tool with the most positive results was CSBS-DP-ITC (42 positive screens [PS]), followed by M-CHAT (28 PS), and ITSP (22 PS). Differences in the frequency of PS among the tests were significant (P=0.008). CSBS-DP-ITC had the highest sensitivity (0.846), followed by M-CHAT (0.692) and ITSP (0.462).ConclusionOur results indicate a higher prevalence of autism in children with birth weights <1,500 g at 2 years of age compared to the general population prevalence. The ASD diagnosis was associated with shorter gestation times and longer hospital stays. Our findings support the simultaneous use of more than one screening tests in order to increase screening sensitivity.

Background Health problems of premature infants can affect both general and oral health. The enamel defects, poor dietary and oral hygiene habits may predispose these children to dental caries. This study was conducted to assess the impact of very low birth weight and prematurity on caries risk in early childhood. Methods The study cohort consists of 189 of one year old infants. Anamnestic data were obtained from hospital records, feeding practice, bed-time sugar drinks and oral hygiene onset from questionnaires. Saliva samples of children and their mothers were collected for the detection of cariogenic pathogens. Results VLBW newborns had significantly shorter gestation age (29.6 vs. 38.8)) and lower mean birthweight (1124 g vs 3315 g) compared to NBW ones (p < 0.0001). Statistical significance has been found in the presence of early morbidity (p < 0.0001) and regular medication intake (p = 0.007). VLBW children got more frequently sweetened drinks during the day and night (p = 0.007). Regular oral hygiene practice was more frequent in full term group (p = 0.002). There was statistical difference in the presence of enamel hypoplasia in VLBW children (p = 0.033) but no statistical difference in the presence of hypomineralization (p = 0.0736) in comparison to NBW individuals. Proportional representation and count of S. mutans did not reveal statistical difference neither in both groups of children (p = 0.484) nor in both groups of mothers (p = 0.385). Conclusions The study confirmed anamnestic and medical differences between both groups. The proportional representation and count of S. mutans did not reveal statistical difference neither in VLBW and NBW children, nor in their mothers.