Detecting, studying, and treating autism early: the one-year well-baby check-up approach
Karen Pierce, Cindy Carter, Melanie Weinfeld, Jamie Desmond, Roxana Hazin, Robert Bjork, Nicole Gallagher, Karen Pierce, Cindy Carter, Melanie Weinfeld, Jamie Desmond, Roxana Hazin, Robert Bjork, Nicole Gallagher
Abstract
Objectives: To determine the feasibility of implementing a broadband screen at the 1-year check-up to detect cases of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), language delay (LD), and developmental delay (DD).
Study design: The Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler Checklist was distributed at every 1-year pediatric check-up; 137 pediatricians and 225 infants participated. Screens were scored immediately, and failures referred for further evaluation.
Results: Pediatricians screened 10 479 infants at the 1-year check-up; 184 infants who failed the screen were evaluated and tracked. To date, 32 infants received a provisional or final diagnosis of ASD, 56 of LD, nine of DD, and 36 of "other." Five infants who initially tested positive for ASD no longer met criteria at follow-up. The remainder of the sample was false positive results. Positive predictive value was estimated to be .75.
Conclusions: The 1-Year Well-Baby Check-Up Approach shows promise as a simple mechanism to detect cases of ASD, LD, and DD at 1 year. This procedure offers an alternative to the baby sibling design as a mechanism to study autism prospectively, the results of which will enrich our understanding of autism at an early age.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Source: PubMed