Dialogues Health. 2026 Mar 19;8:100288. doi: 10.1016/j.dialog.2026.100288. eCollection 2026 Jun.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a diverse neurodevelopmental condition. This study aimed to highlight the prevalence and risk factors associated with the development of ASD in infants and children who have been admitted to the NICU.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 66 pediatric outpatient clinic infants and children <3 years of age with a history of admission to NICU. CARS-2St questionnaire and Auditory brain response (ABR) were used.
RESULTS: The percentage of ASD was 9.1% (6/66) and the mean total CARS-2-St-test score of ASD vs non-ASD cases was 35 ± 2.7 vs 18.58 ± 2.74, p = 0.001. Significant risk factors for ASD included premature rupture of membranes (p = 0.001), prematurity (p = 0.002), longer duration of admission (p = 0.038), and increased need for respiratory support (p = 0.034). The mean values of the absolute latencies of ABR waves III, IV, and V and the I-III and I-V intervals of the right and left ear were significantly increased in those with ASD.
CONCLUSIONS: This study is exploratory and hypothesis-generating and highlights the importance of screening infants and children with a history of admission to NICU who have an increased risk of ASD, and should be screened even if they have no other neurological manifestations.
PMID:41952920 | PMC:PMC13054605 | DOI:10.1016/j.dialog.2026.100288
