New study shows fetal head size could link to autism
A new study from Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has found a link between children with larger head measurements in-utero and a subsequent diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as toddlers.
The research, led by Dr Andrew Whitehouse, has just been published online in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
"While this research is in its early stages, the preliminary findings suggest further investigation of fetal growth in ASD is warranted," Dr Whitehouse said.
Data for this research came from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study, which recruited 2900 pregnant women during 1989-1991 and have studied their children at various points to adulthood. Fourteen children from the Raine Study have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum condition. Dr Whitehouse and his team examined measures of prenatal growth taken from these children during their mothers' pregnancy, and compared these with 56 children who did not develop autism
"The results showed that the children with largest head circumference measurements at 18 weeks gestation were at increased risk of Austism Spectrum Disorder" Dr Whitehouse explained. "We concluded that enlarged fetal head circumference relative to body size may be a risk factor for ASD," Dr Whitehouse says.
Dr Whitehouse stressed that these findings need to be replicated by other researchers. However, they may provide insights into the mechanisms underlying atypical brain development in ASD.
Dr Whitehouse said this research should not alarm mothers in pregnancy.
"It is extremely unlikely that a mother has done anything to stimulate the head circumference growth that we found was associated with ASD. What we are trying to identify is an early indicator of children at risk of ASD so that can be diagnosed earlier in life and benefit from intensive early intervention therapies."
Ongoing research by Dr Whitehouse and his team into the causes of ASD also include emerging theories around the 'extreme male brain'.
"We are looking at the possibility that exposure to elevated levels of testosterone in-utero may have some bearing on the development of Autism in children," Dr Whitehouse says.
Addressing an audience of more than 200 people, Dr Whitehouse discussed his current research at a recent public lecture at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in Subiaco. Dr Whitehouse debunked common myths about ASD, including links to Measles Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccine and the so-called 'autism epidemic'.
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Brief Report: A Preliminary Study of Fetal Head Circumference Growth in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Andrew J. O. Whitehouse • Martha Hickey • Fiona J. Stanley • John P. Newnham • Craig E. Pennell. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Published online 23 April, 2010.
About the Raine Study
The Raine Study is jointly conducted by the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and The School of Women's and Infant's Health at the University of Western Australia. The study started in 1989, when 2900 pregnant women were recruited into a research study at King Edward Memorial Hospital to examine ultrasound imaging. The mothers were assessed during pregnancy when information was collected on the mother and the father, for example diet, exercise, work, health, etc. The research team at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research have assessed the children at 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 14 and 17 years of age. At each follow-up, information is collected from the parents and the child. Find out more at www.rainestudy.org.au