In January 2022, according to a new study by Ben Gurion University in the Negev and the Soroka Medical Center in Israel, routine ultrasound scans in the second trimester can detect early signs of autism spectrum disorder, enabling early intervention.
The study was published last month in the peer-reviewed journal Brain and will be discussed at the annual conference on autism research in Israel scheduled for later this month.
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Fetal pregnancy abnormalities are associated with autism
Antenatal scans, usually performed between 18 and 22 weeks, can reveal the sex of the baby, as well as the development of the brain, face, heart, spine, and other major organs.
According to Science Daily, researchers looked at data from hundreds of ultrasound scans and found that 30 percent of fetuses eventually diagnosed with autism after birth had abnormalities in the heart, kidneys, and head. This figure is three times higher than that of normally developing fetuses in the general population.
In fact, researchers have already found a link between fetal abnormalities and subsequent autism diagnoses, although data on the matter are still lacking. Previous studies have shown that children with congenital disorders, especially those involving the heart and kidneys, have a higher chance of developing autism, while current research suggests that it is possible to see these signs even before birth.
"Prenatal ultrasound is an excellent tool for studying fetal development abnormalities as it is often used to monitor fetal growth and identify fetal abnormalities throughout pregnancy," the researchers said. ”
Researcher Professor Idan Menashe said in a university statement: "Doctors can use these signs that are identifiable in routine ultrasound to assess the likelihood that a child will be born with autism. ”
"Our findings suggest that some people with autism involved in organ abnormalities begin and can be detected in the womb."
Antenatal diagnosis of autism may mean that treatment begins at birth, rather than waiting until the age of two, three, or even later, as is often the case.
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Boys are more likely than girls to detect abnormalities
According to Science Daily, Professor Idan Menashe, who led the study, said: "Doctors can use these signs on routine ultrasound to assess the likelihood that a child will be born with autism. ”
