Moderate-to-Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity Linked to Autism Risk, reveals study
Researchers have identified that moderate to severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is strongly related to the increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children born extremely premature. A recent study was conducted by Pia L. and colleagues which was published in the journal Acta Paediatrica.
Extremely preterm infants, those born at less than 28 weeks of gestation, are more susceptible to a variety of complications, including neurodevelopmental disorders. ROP, a retinal disorder that affects premature infants, has been examined for its association with long-term developmental impairments. The study included children without perinatal brain injuries or genetic disorders, in an attempt to control the association between ROP and autism spectrum disorder.
The study analyzed data from children born extremely premature (<28 weeks) in the Region Västra Götaland between 2013 and 2017. Of 266 children evaluated for neurodevelopmental outcomes, 143 were included after excluding cases with documented brain injuries or genetic disorders. These children were categorized based on the severity of their ROP: no or mild ROP (stage <1) and moderate-to-severe ROP (stage ≥2). Neurodevelopmental diagnoses diagnosed included ASD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disability. Statistical adjustments for this analysis were made for gestational age and sex.
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