Abstract
Few studies have used eye tracking as a screening tool for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preterm infants. To evaluate fixation time on social and non-social figures and percentage of preterm babies who gazed at the images. This was a cross-sectional study of 31 preterm infants born weighing ≤ 2,000 g in which eye gaze was evaluated at 6 months of corrected age. Six boards with social and non-social figures were projected on a computer screen, successively, evaluating time and percentage of preterm babies who gazed at each board. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) was answered at 18 months of corrected age. Preterm infants showed longer visual fixation time on social figures compared with non-social images, regardless of the position of the social figure on the board. Similar percentages of preterm infants gazed either at social or non-social figures, at social figures with a direct or an indirect look, and at the eyes or mouth of the social figures. No preterm infant screened positive on the M-CHAT. At 6 months of corrected age, preterm infants show the ability to gaze in an eye-tracking test, with preference for social figures, suggesting that this tool could be useful as another screening instrument for ASD.
Highlights
Few studies have used eye tracking as a screening tool for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preterm infants
Detection can be difficult in the early years, the manifestation of problems in social communication, emotional attachment and joint attention – all signs compatible with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – is frequent in preterm infants.[3]
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends ASD screening at 18-24 months with the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), some signs of ASD may be observed even earlier. Instruments such as eye tracking have become an important tool to screen for early signs of ASD
Summary
Few studies have used eye tracking as a screening tool for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preterm infants. Conclusion: At 6 months of corrected age, preterm infants show the ability to gaze in an eye-tracking test, with preference for social figures, suggesting that this tool could be useful as another screening instrument for ASD. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends ASD screening at 18-24 months with the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), some signs of ASD may be observed even earlier.
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