November 27, 2023
- A recent international study has explored autoantibody reactivity in the blood serum of individuals with ASD using a high-throughput assay. The authors discovered 29 autoantibodies that were differentially expressed in ASD. These differential autoantibodies were reactive against proteins involved in axonal guidance, synaptic function, amino acid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and chromatin binding. The researchers also found a decline in autoantibody concentration with increasing age.
- A new brief report published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that children born in more disadvantaged neighborhoods have a higher likelihood of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. The study used data from a Kaiser Permanente Southern California birth cohort and found a higher probability of ASD diagnosis with neighborhood disadvantage. Additionally, children of mothers from minoritized racial and ethnic groups had an increased likelihood of ASD diagnosis. The authors recommend investment in early intervention and family support for communities and populations with higher diagnosis rates, along with universal access to screening and diagnosis.
- According to an online survey conducted among parents, the use of melatonin among children aged 1 to 13 years was common. The survey showed that the prevalence of melatonin consumption in the past 30 days was 5.6% in preschoolers, 18.5% in school-age kids ages 5 to 9, and 19.4% in preteens ages 10 to 13. The study also revealed that preschoolers consumed melatonin for a median length of 1 year, while school-age kids took it for a median duration of 18 months, and preteens took it for a median of 21 months. These findings suggest that many parents are seeking solutions for their children’s sleep difficulties, whether the child has special needs or not.
- According to a population-based cohort study of over 1.3 million children, offspring of parents with infertility, including those who did not undergo fertility treatment, had a higher risk of autism spectrum disorder. Children conceived via ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination had a 21% higher risk of autism than those born without assisted conception. Likewise, children conceived through in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection had a 16% higher risk. However, children born through assisted conception did not have any higher risk for autism compared to those born to an individual with subfertility. The researchers suggest that a mix of genetic and environmental factors may contribute to this link.
