Perinatal Factors and the Development of Autism

Glasson, Emma; Bower, Carol; Petterson, Beverly; Klerk, Nicholas de; Chaney, Gervase; Hallmayer, Joachim

doi:10.1001/archpsyc.61.6.618

Cited by 468 publications

(430 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…Similar spectral and temporal degradation has been described in cortical neurons of noise-reared rats (4,19). Interestingly, noise induces hypoxia at the cochlear level, and levels of hypoxia that alone would not affect the auditory system can enhance noise-induced hearing loss (39).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Perinatal anoxia degrades auditory system function in rats

Strata

Deipolyi²,

Bonham³

et al. 2005

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Little is known about the neural bases of the reduced auditory and cortical processing speeds that have been recorded in languageimpaired, autistic, schizophrenic, and other disabled human populations. Although there is strong evidence for genetic contributions to etiologies, epigenetic factors such as perinatal anoxia (PA) have been argued to be contributors, or causal, in a significant proportion of cases. In this article, we explored the consequences of PA on this elementary aspect of auditory behavior and on auditory system function in rats that were briefly perinatally anoxic. PA rats had increased acoustic thresholds and reduced processing efficiencies recorded in an auditory behavioral task. These rats had modestly increased interpeak intervals in their auditory brainstem responses, and substantially longer latencies in poststimulus time histogram responses recorded in the primary auditory cortex. The latter were associated with degraded primary auditory cortex receptive fields and a disrupted tonotopy. These processing deficits are consistent with the parallel behavioral and physiological deficits recorded in children and adults with a history of language-learning impairment and autism.auditory behavior ͉ auditory brainstem responses ͉ auditory cortex ͉ autism ͉ language learning impairment

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Perinatal anoxia degrades auditory system function in rats

Strata

Deipolyi²,

Bonham³

et al. 2005

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…In particular, growth retardation, fetal distress, umbilical-cord wrapping around the neck, low Apgar score, respiratory distress, resuscitation, meconium aspiration, and Cesarean delivery are all potential risk factors that also may be associated with an increased risk of hypoxia. 6,24,26,36,38,82 Although some brain abnormalities observed in individuals with autism may reflect a potential role of oxygen deprivation during development, this possibility requires additional examination. Hypoxia also has been shown to increase dopaminergic activity, and there is evidence for dopamine overactivation in autism.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perinatal and Neonatal Risk Factors for Autism: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis

2011

PEDIATRICS

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WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:Autism etiology is unknown, although perinatal and neonatal exposures have been the focus of epidemiologic research for more than 40 years. Although studies show that obstetrical and neonatal complications may increase autism risk, the specific complications and magnitude of effect have been inconsistent. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: OBJECTIVE:To provide the first review and meta-analysis of the association between perinatal and neonatal factors and autism risk. METHODS:PubMed, Embase, and PsycInfo databases were searched for studies that examined the association between perinatal and neonatal factors and autism through March 2007. Forty studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. For each exposure, a summary effect estimate was calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity in effect estimates across studies was examined, and, if found, a metaregression was conducted to identify measured methodological factors that could explain between-study variability. RESULTS:Over 60 perinatal and neonatal factors were examined. Factors associated with autism risk in the meta-analysis were abnormal presentation, umbilical-cord complications, fetal distress, birth injury or trauma, multiple birth, maternal hemorrhage, summer birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, congenital malformation, low 5-minute Apgar score, feeding difficulties, meconium aspiration, neonatal anemia, ABO or Rh incompatibility, and hyperbilirubinemia. Factors not associated with autism risk included anesthesia, assisted vaginal delivery, postterm birth, high birth weight, and head circumference. CONCLUSIONS:There is insufficient evidence to implicate any 1 perinatal or neonatal factor in autism etiology, although there is some evidence to suggest that exposure to a broad class of conditions reflecting general compromises to perinatal and neonatal health may increase the risk. Methodological variations were likely sources of heterogeneity of risk factor effects across studies. Pediatrics 2011;128: 344-355

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“…Several studies report a strong association (6)(7)(8)(9)(10), yet others do not (11)(12)(13). The association may be unclear due to methodological limitations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%