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Clinical Summary

Autism is more likely in children with multiple autistic relatives

Takeaway

  • Infants who have more than 1 autistic relative are likelier themselves to be diagnosed with autism in their first 3 years.
  • Having 1 older sibling with autism increased the likelihood by 43%, and having 2 or more increased it by 67%.

Why this matters

  • These findings from the "baby sibs" consortium study confirm the high genetic contribution to autism.
  • The authors say that the results warrant early screening and prompt referral to access early intervention for optimal outcomes.

Key results

  • Autism rates were higher among children born into multiplex vs single-incidence families:
    • 36.3% vs 16.1% (95% CI, 9%-31%; P<.001).
  • Autism features did not differ between children with 1 vs multiple autistic family members.
  • Cognitive abilities were lower at age 3 years among children who were not themselves autistic but who had multiple autistic family members (P=.02).

Study design

  • Longitudinal, prospective 11-site Baby Siblings Research Consortium database study, with 435 infants born into families with autistic children, covering 2003-2015.
  • Funding: NIH; others.

Limitations

  • Much of the cohort was excluded for incomplete data.
  • Some study site inconsistency in timing of evaluations, diagnostic confirmation process.

References


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