Over the past ten years, the number of children diagnosed with autism in the U.S. has surged by an astonishing 78 percent, according to a 2012 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently, one in every 88 children born in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum, which includes a variety of complex brain development disorders characterized by problems with communication and social interactions.
Although better testing methods, increased awareness, and a deeper understanding of the disorder have played roles in this rise, they don’t entirely account for such a significant increase.
The earlier a child with autism starts treatment, the better the chances for improvement. Unfortunately, children are typically not diagnosed with autism until they start showing behavioral symptoms around the age of two or three, though some may show symptoms later. Specialists have long believed that if autism could be detected at birth, early intervention could be more effective. Now, new research might make this possible.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered that examining the placenta shortly after birth could help determine a child’s risk of autism. These findings were published in April in the journal Biological Psychiatry.
Early Diagnosis
In this study, researchers looked at 117 placentas from mothers who already had a child with autism. These mothers are at a higher risk of having another child with the disorder. These samples were compared to placentas from 100 mothers whose children were developing normally.
During pregnancy, the placenta separates the baby’s blood supply from the mother’s while supplying nutrients and oxygen. At birth, the placenta is expelled from the body along with the baby.
The study found significant differences in the placentas of mothers who had previously had a child with autism. The key differences were abnormal cell growth and unusual folds in the placentas. Placentas from mothers of children with autism were almost eight times more likely to have two or more of these abnormal folds. A placenta with four or more abnormalities indicated a 74 percent chance of the child developing autism. Even with only two abnormalities, the risk was still higher.
Since the children in the study were newborns, it’s not yet certain if all will develop autism, but researchers will monitor their progress over time.
Importance of Early Detection
This new test for autism can be done right after birth, offering the earliest possible screening. While it can’t definitively diagnose autism, it can give parents a heads-up on the risk, which can be incredibly beneficial.
The exact connection between the placental abnormalities and autism isn’t fully understood, but researchers believe these abnormalities may result from increased cellular growth, which could cause the brains of children with autism to grow more rapidly early in life. Whatever the cause, this new testing method holds promise for improved early detection and a better understanding of the growing rates of autism.
This progress in autism research could lead to earlier interventions and better outcomes for children at risk, offering hope to many families.