In the April edition of Pediatrics, an international pediatric medical journal, a new study shows that there is a link between premature birth and autism. The study shows that the risk of autism stems from low birth rate related to premature birth.
The new study is the first one to link low birth weight with an increased risk for autism. It defines very low birth weight as 3 pounds, 4 ounces or less.
The study was conducted by Dr. Catherine Limperopoulos and a group of her colleagues, at the McGill University in Canada.
Limperopoulos focused on 91 toddlers. All were born prematurely at a birth weight between 1 and 3.28 pounds. All births were extremely high-risk premature births and ranged from 23 to 30 week gestational periods. About 25% of the 91 toddles had positive screenings for autism.
The study demonstrates that infants born at least 10 weeks early need careful monitoring and routine screenings in order to catch autism early. Limperpoulos stated that if a child screens positive for autism, it is very important to follow up with formal diagnostic autism tests in order to definitively prove that the child is positive for an autism spectrum disorder. Contact a baby brain injury lawyer for more information.
Autism is a brain disorder that inhibits the ability to communicate. Those with autism may act out in violence or self-injury. The three main areas in which autism has an impact are socialization, communication and behavior.
Symptoms of autism can include intolerance for change, self-injury, repetitive or ritualized movements or behaviors, lack of eye contact, or delayed hearing or speech development.
In recent years, major advances in neonatal intensive care treatments has allowed for a substantial increase of survival in premature babies. As these babies are growing, a large number of them are developing severe social, communication, development and behavior disorders.
Further studies are needed in order to affirm the results of Limperopoulos’ study.
There is no cure for autism, but those who seek treatment have shown drastic improvement. Recent studies show that early intervention plays a major role in coping with autism.
It is estimated that about 25,000 are diagnosed with autism every year in the United States. At least 600,000 adults have some form of the disorder.
Birth trauma attorneys are working on cases in which severe disabilities are a result of negligence on the part of the doctor or medical staff. Such negligence can include the failure to order the appropriate testing, delaying in ordering a cesarean or inattentive care. Every pregnancy and every patient deserves to have a reasonable level of care. Birth injury attorneys are working to make sure that care is provided. A baby brain injury lawyer can be a great help in your time of need.
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