Early Childhood Infections Associated with Higher Risk of Autism and Intellectual Disabilities
Maternal Infections During Pregnancy Show Weaker Association Due to Familial Factors: Researchers from Taiwan have recently conducted a large cohort study examining the potential influence of maternal infections during pregnancy and early childhood infections on the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), tic disorders, and mental retardation (MR).
Community Shares | October 14th 2024
This week’s articles:
- Autism Discovery & Treatment Foundation is currently seeking adult participants for a groundbreaking clinical trial.
- Extraordinary Ventures is supporting the IDD community in western North Carolina, which Hurricane Helene impacted.
- A new interview featured on PBS News Hour highlights the alarming rise in autism diagnoses among Somali Americans in Minnesota, where rates are significantly higher than the national average.
- Don’t miss the last chance to register for TACA’s National Autism Conference, held from October 18-20, 2024, at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa.
New Research Uncovers Key Gut Bacteria Associated With Autism
Middle Eastern scientists have recently explored the role of the gut microbiome in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by comparing individuals with ASD, their unaffected siblings, and a control group. Their study highlights significant microbiome differences, particularly the lower abundance of Turicibacter and Bacteroidetes and a higher abundance of Catenibacterium and Tenericutes in individuals with ASD.
MIND Institute Study Finds Higher Autism Risk for Siblings of Children with ASD
A new study by the UC Davis MIND Institute and the Baby Siblings Research Consortium, published in Pediatrics, found that approximately 20% of siblings born after a child with autism are diagnosed with the disorder. This rate is seven times higher than the general population’s 2.5%.
Community Shares | September 7th 2024
This week’s articles:
- Infants exclusively fed breast milk during their birth hospitalization had a significantly lower risk of developing asthma in early childhood
- A recent study has investigated the possible connection between acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during early development and ASD.
- Lawmakers have approved a short-term extension of the Autism CARES Act, which provides nearly $2 billion for autism-related programs, but future renewal could face challenges.
- Join the Autism Research Institute (ARI) for an insightful webinar on Disordered Eating and Autism – Obesity at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Higher Risk of Vision Problems Discovered in Children With Autism
A comprehensive nationwide cohort study revealed that children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a significantly higher risk of developing ophthalmologic conditions such as hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism, and strabismus, compared to their peers without ASD.
