MIND Institute Study Highlights Genetic and Environmental Factors Influencing Autism Recurrence within Families
New research from the UC Davis MIND Institute and the Baby Siblings Research Consortium has revealed that siblings of children with autism face a significantly increased risk of autism themselves, approximately 20%. This risk is seven times higher than in infants without siblings on the spectrum. Published in Pediatrics, the study involved over 1,600 infants across multiple countries, confirming earlier research findings from 2011. Importantly, this research highlights that factors like the sex of the first child with autism and the presence of multiple siblings with the disorder can further increase this risk. Specifically, families with a first autistic daughter were 50% more likely to have another child with autism compared to families with a first autistic son. Moreover, families with multiple siblings on the spectrum saw a recurrence rate of 37%, compared to 21% when there was only one sibling with autism. The authors suggest these findings underscore the genetic factors influencing autism recurrence within families. The study also found variations based on race and maternal education level, suggesting potential socio-economic and environmental influences. Specifically, the research identified race and maternal education level as potential environmental influences on the recurrence of autism within families. For instance, non-white families showed a higher recurrence rate (25%) than white families (18%). Maternal education level also played a role, with higher recurrence rates observed in families where the mother had a high school education or less (32%) compared to those with higher levels of education (ranging from 25.5% for some college to 16.9% for a graduate degree). Ultimately, these insights are crucial for families, emphasizing the importance of early monitoring and intervention for younger siblings, particularly in communities with limited access to healthcare.
