Autism Spectrum Disorder Children Research Articles

Association between maternal genitourinary infections and the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in children according to a systematic review

Introduction. Autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are among the most significant and widespread mental disorders that manifest in childhood and adolescence. Their etiology and pathogenesis have not been studied enough and most likely a complex of factors leads to their formation. Among other things, data are accumulating on the role of various hazards and diseases of the mother, which increase the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders in offspring. These include genitourinary infections, whose contribution to the development of autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has not yet been systematically studied.Aim. To establish the contribution of maternal genitourinary infections to the formation of autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.Materials and methods. An electronic search was conducted in the Scopus and Pubmed databases to obtain relevant literature by August 2022. The search strategy included a combination of keywords and MESH terms: urogenital infections, and autism, and autism spectrum disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and maternal infections.Results. On this topic 10 papers have been identified in the available literature – 6 on autism spectrum disorders and 4 on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In all the papers on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder included in the analysis, an association between genitourinary infections and neuropsychiatric disorders was revealed. In the case of autism spectrum disorders, the data obtained were more contradictory. The heterogeneity of the available data (different designs, different deficits and approaches to the diagnosis of genitourinary infections) did not allow for a meta-analysis.Conclusions. Genitourinary infections play a pathogenetic role in the formation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, while the effect of genitourinary infections on the development of autism spectrum disorders seems less unambiguous. It is necessary to continue work in this area with a more unified design to form practical recommendations for the prevention of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Decreased brain iron deposition based on quantitative susceptibility mapping correlates with reduced neurodevelopmental status in children with autism spectrum disorder.

To investigate potential correlations between the susceptibility values of certain brain regions and the severity of disease or neurodevelopmental status in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 18 ASD children and 15 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. The neurodevelopmental status was assessed by the Gesell Developmental Schedules (GDS) and the severity of the disease was evaluated by the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC). Eleven brain regions were selected as regions of interest and the susceptibility values were measured by quantitative susceptibility mapping. To evaluate the diagnostic capacity of susceptibility values in distinguishing ASD and HC, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was computed. Pearson and Spearman partial correlation analysis were used to depict the correlations between the susceptibility values, the ABC scores, and the GDS scores in the ASD group. ROC curves showed that the susceptibility values of the left and right frontal white matter had a larger area under the curve in the ASD group. The susceptibility value of the right globus pallidus was positively correlated with the GDS-fine motor scale score. These findings indicated that the susceptibility value of the right globus pallidus might be a viable imaging biomarker for evaluating the neurodevelopmental status of ASD children.

Quantitative proteomics of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex reveals an early pattern of synaptic dysmaturation in children with idiopathic autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder with a rising prevalence and unknown etiology presenting with deficits in cognition and abnormal behavior. We hypothesized that the investigation of the synaptic component of prefrontal cortex may provide proteomic signatures that may identify the biological underpinnings of cognitive deficits in childhood ASD. Subcellular fractions of synaptosomes from prefrontal cortices of age-, brain area-, and postmortem-interval-matched samples from children and adults with idiopathic ASD vs. controls were subjected to HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Analysis of data revealed the enrichment of ASD risk genes that participate in slow maturation of the postsynaptic density (PSD) structure and function during early brain development. Proteomic analysis revealed down regulation of PSD-related proteins including AMPA and NMDA receptors, GRM3, DLG4, olfactomedins, Shank1-3, Homer1, CaMK2α, NRXN1, NLGN2, Drebrin1, ARHGAP32, and Dock9 in children with autism (FDR-adjusted P < 0.05). In contrast, PSD-related alterations were less severe or unchanged in adult individuals with ASD. Network analyses revealed glutamate receptor abnormalities. Overall, the proteomic data support the concept that idiopathic autism is a synaptopathy involving PSD-related ASD risk genes. Interruption in evolutionarily conserved slow maturation of the PSD complex in prefrontal cortex may lead to the development of ASD in a susceptible individual.

Association between parental psychiatric disorders and risk of offspring autism spectrum disorder: a Swedish and Finnish population-based cohort study

Roughly more than one in six adults worldwide suffer from psychiatric conditions. Sporadic studies have associated parental psychiatric disorders with autism spectrum disorder in offspring. Comprehensively examining the association between parental psychiatric disorders and offspring autism spectrum disorder is needed to guide health policies, and to inform etiologic studies. We included all children born in Sweden and Finland 1997-2016. Diagnoses were clinically ascertained from National Registers through 2017. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for autism spectrum disorder in offspring of fathers and mothers with psychiatric disorders, in both parents jointly and across co-occurring conditions. Among 2,505,842 children, 33,612 were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, of which 20% had a parent with psychiatric disorders. The risk of autism spectrum disorder was increased across all psychiatric disorders in fathers (Sweden: aHR=2.02, 95% CI=1.92-2.12; Finland: aHR=1.63, 95% CI=1.50-1.77), mothers (Sweden: aHR=2.34, 95% CI=2.24-2.43; Finland aHR=2.12, 95% CI=1.92-2.28), or both parents (Sweden: aHR=3.76, 95% CI=3.48-4.07; Finland aHR=3.61, 95% CI=3.20-4.07), compared to neither parents. Co-occurrence of parental psychiatric disorders further increased risk (e.g., Sweden: for one, two or≥three different diagnostic categories compared to no diagnosis, in fathers aHR=1.81, 2.07, 2.52; in mothers aHR=2.05, 2.63, 3.57). Psychiatric disorders in both parents conveyed the highest risk of offspring autism spectrum disorder, followed by mothers and then fathers. The risk increased with number of co-occurring disorders. All parental psychiatric disorders were associated with increased the risk of autism spectrum disorder. To reliably assess the risk of autism spectrum disorder in children, a comprehensive history incorporating the full range of parental psychiatric disorders is needed beyond solely focusing on familial autism spectrum disorder. Swedish-Research-Council-2021-0214.

2023 clinical practice guidelines on autism spectrum disorder in children and adolescents in Singapore

Introduction: Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that is increasing in prevalence worldwide. There has been an exponential increase in autism-related research since 2010, when the first Singapore Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on autism was published. Understanding of autism has since evolved to adopt a lifespan approach beyond that of a childhood condition. The aim of this CPG was to provide an updated set of recommendations for children and adolescents to aid clinical practice for professionals. Method: A multidisciplinary workgroup that comprised representatives from various sectors worked on this CPG. Clinical questions were organised into 10 different sections, each with its own subgroup of members. Seventeen existing international guidelines were evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch &amp; Evaluation II (AGREE-II) framework, of which 4 met criteria to act as references. Literature review across multiple databases was conducted between January 2011 to 2023; Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE-like) methodology was used to synthesise evidence. Recommendation statements were derived, following Delphi-style consensus surveys among the workgroup. The draft guidelines underwent external review and public consultation before being formalised. Results: Recommendation and good practice statements pertaining to care of children and adolescents on the autism spectrum across 10 different sections were developed. Evidence matrices complement these recommendations and detail relevant evidence behind each recommendation statement. Conclusion: It is intended for these guidelines to promote effective management and healthcare services for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum, by reinforcing good and evidence-based clinical practice within our national context.

Neuroplasticity of children in autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that encompasses a range of symptoms including difficulties in verbal communication, social interaction, limited interests, and repetitive behaviors. Neuroplasticity refers to the structural and functional changes that occur in the nervous system to adapt and respond to changes in the external environment. In simpler terms, it is the brain’s ability to learn and adapt to new environments. However, individuals with ASD exhibit abnormal neuroplasticity, which impacts information processing, sensory processing, and social cognition, leading to the manifestation of corresponding symptoms. This paper aims to review the current research progress on ASD neuroplasticity, focusing on genetics, environment, neural pathways, neuroinflammation, and immunity. The findings will provide a theoretical foundation and insights for intervention and treatment in pediatric fields related to ASD.

The role of the CNTNAP2 gene in the development of autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which genetic and environmental factors interact in its development. Research suggests that the contactin associated protein 2 (CNTNAP2) gene may play a role in ASD pathophysiology, yet more studies involving human participants and animal models of autism are needed. One such model may be the use of prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model to induce autism-like behaviors in offspring rats. The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to examine the association of the CNTNAP2 gene rs2710102 variant with ASD in children; and (2) to examine the effect of prenatal exposure to VPA on Cntnap2 gene expression in the rat brain. The study included 167 children of European ancestry—81 diagnosed with ASD (20 girls, 61 boys; age 4.9 ± 1.4 years) and 86 controls (44 girls, 42 boys; 5.1 ± 1.2 years). In vivo experiments were conducted in 80 rats (40 with the VPA model of autism), with Cntnap2 gene expression analysis in the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum. Results demonstrated that the frequency of the CNTNAP2 gene rs2710102 GG genotype was significantly higher in children with ASD when compared with controls (33.3 vs 19.8%; OR=2.03, 95%CI [1.004, 4.102], p = 0.035), although, potentially due to bias in cohort selection, in the ASD children this polymorphism did not meet Hardy-Weinberg expectations (χ2 =5.40, p = 0.02). In addition, Cntnap2 gene expression was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in the amygdala and hippocampus of VPA rats when compared with controls, regardless of sex. These results support previous research and provide evidence for the CNTNAP2 gene as a risk factor for ASD.

[Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels and their association with neurodevelopmental features in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder].

To investigate the levels of serum folate and vitamin B12 (VB12) and their association with the level of neurodevelopment in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 324 ASD children aged 2-6 years and 318 healthy children aged 2-6 years were recruited. Serum levels of folate and VB12 were measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay. The Social Responsiveness Scale and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale were used to assess the core symptoms of ASD children, and the Gesell Developmental Schedule was employed to evaluate the level of neurodevelopment. The levels of serum folate and VB12 in ASD children were significantly lower than those in healthy children (P<0.05). Serum folate levels in ASD children were positively correlated with gross and fine motor developmental quotients (P<0.05), and serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with adaptive behavior, fine motor, and language developmental quotients (P<0.05). In ASD children aged 2 to <4 years, serum folate levels were positively correlated with developmental quotients in all domains (P<0.05), and serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with language developmental quotient (P<0.05). In male ASD children, serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with language and personal-social developmental quotients (P<0.05). Serum folate and VB12 levels in preschool ASD children are lower than those in healthy children and are associated with neurodevelopmental levels, especially in ASD children under 4 years of age. Therefore, maintaining normal serum folate and VB12 levels may be beneficial for the neurodevelopment of ASD children, especially in ASD children under 4 years of age.

The Association Between Children's Autism Spectrum Disorders and Central Nervous System Infections: Using a Nationwide Claims Database.

Several studies have reported an association of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with central nervous system (CNS) infections and intrauterine infections; however, the results remain unclear. This study aimed to examine this issue using an extensive national database. Utilizing JMDC medical claims database, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of children with at least three years of follow-up from birth, ensuring the mother's information was available. The focus was on the relationship between ASD incidence and exposures like viral meningitis/encephalitis, bacterial meningitis, and intrauterine infections. Cox proportional hazards was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with covariates such as presence of maternal history of mental illness, preterm, low birth weight, respiratory and cardiac disorder, epilepsy, and cranial malformations. Sensitivity analysis was performed on sibling and multiple birth cohorts to adjust for genetic factors. Out of 276,195 mother-child pairs, bacterial meningitis was observed in 1326 (0.5%), viral meningitis/encephalitis in 6066 (2.2%), intrauterine infection in 3722 (1.3%), and ASD in 14,229 (5.2%) children. The adjusted HRs (95% confidence interval, p value) for ASD were 1.40 (1.25-1.57, p < 0.001), 1.14 (1.02-1.26, p = 0.013), and 1.06 (0.87-1.30, p = 0.539) for viral meningitis/encephalitis, intrauterine infection, and bacterial meningitis, respectively. After sensitivity analysis, the HRs for viral meningitis/encephalitis and ASD remained significantly high. Viral meningitis/encephalitis may be an independent risk factor for ASD. Awareness of this risk among healthcare professionals can lead to early intervention and potentially improved outcomes for affected children.

Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children with Infantile Epileptic Spasms: Prevalence and Risk Factors (S24.006)

Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children with Infantile Epileptic Spasms: Prevalence and Risk Factors (S24.006)

Implicit motor learning in children with autism spectrum disorder: current approaches and future directions.

Motor dysfunction is increasingly being viewed as a core characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. In particular, children with ASD have difficulty in learning new motor skills and there is a need to develop effective methods to improve this. Previous research has found that children with ASD may retain the ability to implicitly learn motor skills in comparison to their explicit learning of motor skills, which is typically impaired. This literature mini review focuses on summarizing the study of implicit learning in the acquisition of motor skills in children with ASD. First, we briefly introduce several common implicit learning methods in children's motor skill learning. Second, we focus on the role of two important implicit learning approaches in motor skill learning, namely, an external focus of attention and analogy learning. Finally, based on our review of the existing studies, we present an outlook for future research and the areas that need to be improved in the practical teaching of implicit learning in the acquisition of motor skills in children with ASD.

Evaluation of the Impact of Screen Time and Parental Play on Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in Comparison with Normal Children

Background: There is a decremental trend seen in parental play in recent times, and there is a mounting trend in screen exposure in children. This changing trend in parental play and screen time exposure may affect child social and communication domains.Objective: To assess the impact of screen time and parental play in children with autism spectrum disorder.Methodology: This is a comparative cross sectional study with a sample of 60 children. Thirty children of age group 2-6 years diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as per DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) attending child guidance Clinic, Government Hospital for Mental care were included in the study.The Parental Play Questionnaire assessed parental play in children. The Digital Screen Exposure Questionnaire(DSEQ) evaluated child screen time exposure. The severity of ASD was assessed by using the CARS scale.Results: Out of thirty samples with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 60% of children had moderate ASD, while 20% accounted for mild and severe ASD. Nearly 53.3% of ASD children had a frequency of watching smartphones more than 5 times a week with an average duration of more than 2 hours a day. In contrast, in normal children, only 6.7% have such frequency and an average time of watching smartphones less than 1 hour, significant with a p-value of &lt;0.001. Among the ASD group, 80% of children had active physical parent-child play frequency of less than twice a week. In normal children, about 60% had a frequency of parent-child play several times daily.(p-value &lt;0.001). About 66.7% of ASD children never had to pretend play, and 30% had pretend play once a week.Conclusion: The result showed significantly higher screen time exposure and lack of parental play in childrenwith ASD than in normal children. The need of this digital era is mounting concern about reducing screen time exposure and increasing parental play in childhood.

Analyzing lower body movements using machine learning to classify autistic children

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological disorder that affects children at an early age and its symptoms appear in varying degrees. Early detection of ASD and follow-up of treatment by specialists help improve autistic people's lives and reduce the symptoms they suffer from. In the past few years, a group of studies conducted gait analysis to diagnose children with autism, and although the results of these studies showed weak motor skills of Autism Spectrum Disorder children (ASD) compared to their peers of Typically Developing children (TD), there are some challenges facing researchers in this field. The first is the ability to create A safe, effective, friendly environment that reduces tension in ASD children and helps classify children into ASD/TD effectively. And the second is the ability to create an automated ASD diagnosis system. In this work, a system based on machine learning and augmented reality technology has been proposed to create an effective and friendly interactive environment that helps diagnose ASD and classify children to ASD / TD. The movement of the lower limbs of 15 ASD children and 15 TD children are tracked via a marker-less technique through a Kinect v2 sensor when playing a specific game based on kicking the ball task, that is using augmented reality technology. Then the kinematics features are extracted through Linear Discriminant Analysis technology. To determine these features' ability in the classification process, three machine learning algorithms are used, namely Support Vector Machine, Linear Discriminant Analysis, and Decision Tree. The results showed that the obtained kinematics features can classify children into ASD/TD, where the Support Vector Machine classifier obtained a high accuracy of 96.7% with sensitivity equal to 93.3% and specificity equal to 100%. In addition, the Linear Discriminant Analysis classifier obtained less accuracy of 93.3% with sensitivity equal to 93.3% and specificity equal to 93.3% compared with the Support Vector Machine classifier. Where the Decision Tree classifier obtained the lowest accuracy of 80.0% with sensitivity equal to 73.3% and specificity equal to 86.7% compared with the Support Vector Machine and Linear Discriminant Analysis classifiers. In addition to that, when using Linear Discriminant Analysis to reduce dimensions and extract features, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the Support Vector Machine classifier were increased and achieved by 100%. Based on these results, it has been proven that the proposed method is effective in classifying children to ASD/TD.

The Efficacy of Music Therapy Programs on the Development of Social Communication in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children is characterized by difficulties in social communication and restricted repetitive behavior patterns. Music therapy appears to have beneficial effects in the area of social interaction and communication. The aim of this systematic literature review is to investigate the effectiveness of music therapy programs on the development of social communication among preschool- and school-aged children with ASD. For this purpose, a detailed study of the relevant literature that has been published in the last decade in peer-reviewed scientific journals was conducted. Web of Science, Springer Link, PsyINFO, and ERIC databases were searched, and according to the eligibility and exclusion criteria, 12 studies were finally selected from the 167 initially found. From the analysis of the results, the following categories were defined to contribute to enhancing social communication: (a) improvisational music therapy; (b) joint attention and eye contact; (c) therapeutic relationship, synchronization, and attunement; (d) imitation; (e) understanding and interaction; (f) family-centered music therapy; and (g) language and socioemotional adjustment. The results of the review were mixed, as music therapy appeared to have a positive effect on improving the social communication of children with ASD, but a general conclusion could not be drawn about the degree of its effectiveness compared to the standard treatments that children usually receive. In the future, further research in this field, especially on the improvisational music Therapy technique, is recommended. Moreover, an increased focus on the development of a common methodological practice regarding the sample selection process and measurement tools is suggested.

Systematic Review: Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Gut Microbiota.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a varying group of disorders characterized by deficiency in social interaction and restrictive patterns of behavior and interests. While there are several studies focusing on the neuro-psychiatric pathogenesis of ASD, its etiology remains unclear. The role of gut-brain-axis in ASD has been studied increasingly and a correlation between symptoms and the composition of gut microbiota has been documented in various works. Despite this, the significance of individual microbes and their function is still widely unknown. This work aims to elucidate the current knowledge of the interrelations between ASD and the gut microbiota in children based on scientific evidence. This is a systematic review done by a literature search focusing on the main findings concerning the gut microbiota composition, interventions targeting the gut microbiota, and possible mechanisms explaining the results in children aged between 2 and 18 years of age. Most studies in this review found significant differences between microbial communities, while there was notable variation in results regarding diversity indices or taxonomic level abundance. The most consistent results regarding taxa differences in ASD children's gut microbiota were higher levels of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Sutterella compared to controls. These results show that the gut microbiota of children with ASD is altered compared to one of neurotypically developed children. More research is needed to discover whether some of these features could be used as potential biomarkers for ASD and how the gut microbiota could be targeted in therapeutical interventions.Appeared originally in Acta Psychiatr Scand 2023;148:242-254.

Associations of neighborhood greenspace, and active living environments with autism spectrum disorders: A matched case-control study in Ontario, Canada

BackgroundIncreasing evidence links early life residential exposure to natural urban environmental attributes and positive health outcomes in children. However, few studies have focused on their protective effects on the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of neighborhood greenspace, and active living environments during pregnancy with ASD in young children (≤6 years). MethodsWe conducted a population-based matched case-control study of singleton term births in Ontario, Canada for 2012–2016. The ASD and environmental data was generated using the Ontario Autism Spectrum Profile, the Better Outcomes Registry & Network Ontario, and Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium. We employed conditional logistic regressions to estimate the odds ratio (OR) between ASD and environmental factors characterizing selected greenspace metrics and neighborhoods conducive to active living (i.e., green view index (GVI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), tree canopy, park proximity and active living environments index (ALE)). ResultsWe linked 8643 mother-child pairs, including 1554 cases (18%). NDVI (OR 1.034, 0.944–1.024, per Inter Quartile Range [IQR] = 0.08), GVI (OR 1.025, 95% CI 0.953–1.087, per IQR = 9.45%), tree canopy (OR 0.992, 95% CI 0.903–1.089, per IQR = 6.24%) and the different categories of ALE were not associated with ASD in adjusted models for air pollution. In contrast, living closer to a park was protective (OR 0.888, 0.833–0.948, per 0.06 increase in park proximity index), when adjusted for air pollution. ConclusionsThis study reported mixed findings showing both null and beneficial effects of green spaces and active living environments on ASD. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the role of exposure to greenspaces and active living environments on the development of ASD.

Neonatal Risk Factors for ASD and ADHD and Therapeutic Regimens for their Management in Children and AdolescentSD and ADHD?

Background:  Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are both neurodevelopmental disorders that affect children early in life. Both conditions have a complicated origin. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the neonatal complications linked with ASD and ADHD and to outline the utilization of psychotropic medications in the management of children and adolescents with ASD. Methods: This study was conducted from January to April 2022 at the National Center for Autism/Medical City Complex in Baghdad. It involved 120 children with neurodevelopmental disorders and 120 control participants. A questionnaire was used to collect the data, which was then analyzed using SPSS 25. Results: Five perinatal factors have significant associations with child behavioral disorders, as indicated by a P-value of less than 0.05. These factors are Low birth weight (LBW), newborn complications, preterm birth, being the last child, and children delivered via a cesarean section. Additionally, the types of behavioral disorders have significant associations with the use of psychotropic medications. Around 50% of children with both ASD and ADHD, as well as children with ADHD alone, have used psychotropic medications. By comparison, only about 27% of children with ASD have used these medications. Conclusions: Neonatal risk factors may be linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. Medications are used to manage ASD and ADHD in children and youth.

Exploring autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) in children exposed to polybrominated biphenyl.

Although the causes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism have not been identified, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), during fetal development and early life has been suspected to impact neurological development. This study aims to investigate the association between prenatal and early life exposure to PBB and the development of ADHD and autism later in life. Data from the Michigan PBB Registry, a cohort of Michigan residents who had been exposed to PBB in a mass contamination event in 1973, was leveraged for this nested case-control analysis among two distinct samples: (1) Those who self-reported ADHD or autism diagnosis, and (2) mothers who reported their child's ADHD or autism diagnosis. PBB exposure was measured in participants of the PBB Registry, and the mother's PBB level was used in mother-reported analyses. Cases were matched with controls by sex and year of birth. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between PBB level and case status. PBB levels were higher among those who were exposed in early life compared with those exposed in utero (geometric mean: 0.300 ng/ml vs. 0.016 ng/ml). Among women in this cohort, a higher than expected proportion of self-reported ADHD diagnosis (11.11%), compared with population estimates. PBB was not associated with ADHD or autism in either self-reported or mother-reported analyses. This study adds to the sparse literature about prenatal and early life exposure to PBB-153 and ADHD and autism. Future studies should examine potential effect modification by sex.

A Comparison of Expressive Vocabulary in Spontaneous Language Sample and Parent Checklist of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objectives: This study aims to examine the differences in vocabulary abilities in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using a parent checklist and spontaneous language analysis.Methods: Participants included 10 children with ASD, aged 18-30 months, and 10 typically developing children matched for language age. Data were collected using the Korean version of the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory (K M-B CDI) vocabulary checklist and spontaneous language analysis. The total number of vocabulary and the number of 5 word classes of vocabulary were measured and a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation analysis was performed to compare the two groups.Results: Children with ASD demonstrated a higher total vocabulary according to the parent checklist compared to typically developing children. However, there was no significant difference in the results of spontaneous language analysis. While the parent checklist indicated higher vocabulary across all five word classes for ASD children, spontaneous language analysis revealed that they predominantly used nouns and verbs, with fewer occurrences of determiners, independent words, and relational words. Moreover, the vocabulary overlap between the two methods was lower in the ASD group compared to the typically developing group. Conclusion: This study highlights the challenges faced by children with ASD in appropriately using their known vocabulary. It emphasizes the importance of considering not only the parent checklist but also analyzing spontaneously used vocabulary in real communication situations. This integrated approach may provide valuable insights for developing personalized interventions and therapeutic strategies for language development in children with ASD.

Exploring the association between early-life air pollution exposure and autism spectrum disorders in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of this meta-analysis is to investigate the association between air pollution and the vulnerability of children to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). A thorough examination and analysis of data obtained from a compilation of 14 studies was undertaken, with a particular emphasis on investigating the effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), oxide of nitrogen (NOx), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) on individuals diagnosed with ASD. The findings demonstrate a moderate association between exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ASD, as indicated by a combined odds ratio (OR) of 1.13 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) spanning from 0.77 to 1.549. O3 shows a combined odds ratio (OR) of 0.82, along with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 0.49 to 1.14. NOx shows a moderate level of heterogeneity (I² = 75.9%, p = 0.002), suggesting that the impact of NOx on the risk of ASD. There is a statistically significant relationship between exposure to O3 and ASD, although the strength of this relationship is diminished. The findings demonstrated a noteworthy correlation between exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 and the occurrence of ASD. The study found a significant correlation, in relation to PM2.5, with a combined odds ratio (OR) of 1.22 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 1.11 to 1.34. The findings have significant implications for the formulation of programs aimed at reducing exposure to harmful chemicals, especially among vulnerable groups such as children.