Hideki Kihara1, Tomohiko Nakamura2. 1. Department of Rehabilitation, Nagano Children's Hospital, Nagano, Japan. 2. Division of Neonatology, Nagano Children's Hospital, Nagano, Japan. Electronic address: tnakamura@naganoch.gr.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms is high among very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs). Early diagnosis of ASD is crucial, because early intervention for ASD is effective. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate early standard development assessment characteristics in VLBWIs later classified with ASD. METHODS: Thirty-five VLBWIs later diagnosed with ASD were compared with 169 children with typical development who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Nagano Children's Hospital between 2001 and 2005. We retrospectively evaluated developmental quotient (DQ) using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development (KSPD) at 6 and 18months post-term age (PTA) and 3year chronological age. RESULTS: KSPD DQ was significantly lower in ASD infants than in typical development infants at all ages. Postural-motor DQs of ASD infants at 18months PTA and 3year chronological age showed some increase compared to that at 6months PTA. CONCLUSION: Early recognition of ASD using standardized development assessment tools in VLBWIs might be possible.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms is high among very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs). Early diagnosis of ASD is crucial, because early intervention for ASD is effective. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate early standard development assessment characteristics in VLBWIs later classified with ASD. METHODS: Thirty-five VLBWIs later diagnosed with ASD were compared with 169 children with typical development who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Nagano Children's Hospital between 2001 and 2005. We retrospectively evaluated developmental quotient (DQ) using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development (KSPD) at 6 and 18months post-term age (PTA) and 3year chronological age. RESULTS: KSPD DQ was significantly lower in ASDinfants than in typical development infants at all ages. Postural-motor DQs of ASDinfants at 18months PTA and 3year chronological age showed some increase compared to that at 6months PTA. CONCLUSION: Early recognition of ASD using standardized development assessment tools in VLBWIs might be possible.