Low birthweight infants five times more likely to have autism

University of Pennsylvania ^ | October 17, 2011 | Unknown

[decimon]

Autism researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing have found a link between low birthweight and children diagnosed with autism, reporting premature infants are five times more likely to have autism than children born at normal weight.

The children, some born as small as about a pound, were followed for 21 years making this study, published in the prestigious journal Pediatrics, one of the most remarkable of its kind. The infants were born between September 1984 through July 1987 in Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties in New Jersey at birthweights from 500 to 2000 grams or a maximum of about 4.4 pounds.

"As survival of the smallest and most immature babies improves, impaired survivors represent an increasing public health challenge," wrote lead author Jennifer Pinto-Martin, MPH, PhD, director of the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research and Epidemiology (CADDRE) at Penn Nursing. "Emerging studies suggest that low birthweight may be a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders."

[decimon]

Ping

[ConorMacNessa]

Yet my autistic son weighed 9 lbs. 8 oz. at birth.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Coldwater Creek]

I have a son who was 6 weeks early, two grandchildren one a 6 month baby the other 7. All three have Mensa I.Q.’s.

Three others, weighed well over 9 lbs. and have sped through college in a very short time with the highest of honors. Who knows why. Most studies are meaningless.

[JakeS]

Yet my autistic son weighed 9 lbs. 8 oz. at birth.

I am sorry to hear that, but, I would like to ask a question if I may concerning where he was born and what happened within the first hour after his birth. I will not ask without your permission first.

Thanks

[ConorMacNessa]

He was born at Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, Maryland. Nothing remarkable happened during his first hour of life. He was exhibiting normal development and hitting all the usual milestones until he was 18 months old. He then began showing symptoms. He wasn't diagnosed until he was almost 4.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[exDemMom]

A study like this means that the incidence is higher among premature babies. It does not mean that every premature baby has autism, that no full-term babies have autism, or that preterm birth causes autism.

It does make sense that premature birth would correlate to a higher incidence of autism (and other disorders). I think that many cases of prematurity result from a defect in the child.

[Reagan69]

Must be true.

My 10lb, 10 oz daughter and my 9 lb, 13 oz. son are not autistic.

[TheOldLady]

Click the Pic               Thank you, JoeProBono

Gary Rushes to Harriet's House
He Misses Her and Can’t Stay Away

Follow the Exciting Adventures of Gary the Snail!

Abolish FReepathons
Go Monthly

If every FReeper and Lurker gave just $7 a month
We could end the FReepathons

[RightOnTheBorder]

Let me preface my statement with the following: I know autism is real. I know it is painful and scary, and I seriously doubt any Freeper would use it to game the system.

That said, it is my understanding that the governments stopped giving out free money (social security, free social services, ect.) to ADHD and ADD kids so the new scam is to get a normal kid diagnosed with Autism. It would not surprise me in the least to see the number of “diagnosed” cases of Autism grow each year until the free money stops. Relating to this article, it would also not surprise me if the groups of our population who are statistically more likely to have a low birth weight baby are also statistically more likely to want to have a kid diagnosed with autism.

[goodwithagun]

I teach in an inner city public school. Our school psychiatrists are trained to diagnose disorders and also to “diagnose” scammers. This is so disgusting and disturbing: We have parents tell their children how to act in an effort to get an SSI check, aka crazy check. Also, many of our students are parents. They know that having a second baby by the same daddy gets them less money so the girls have multiple children from multiple fathers. They do not alter their lifestyles during pregnancy so they continue to smoke, therefore causing low birth weight babies. Your theory could have some substance to it.

[JakeS]

Yes, but may I ask a few questions?

[ConorMacNessa]

Ask away.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[JakeS]

Any vaccinations within the first day of birth? If so can you tell me which one(s)?

[ConorMacNessa]

None.  
 
Lamh Foistenach Abu!

Posting from my BlackBerry mobile HQ.

[JakeS]

Whole I am glad he did not get an vaccines, it does make it more difficult to treat. With vaccines in the first 24 hours, at times, putting him on an organic sugar free, diet has shown signs of improvement. Sugar free meaning no fruit or fruit juice and certainly none of those sugar substitutes like splenda. Stevia is OK.

May God bless you and him.

[neverdem]

Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adolescents Born Weighing <2000 Grams