According to an article published in the Journal of Pediatrics and conducted by researchers at Michigan State University, ultrasound made immediately after birth in low-birth weight new-borns may predict risk of autism. Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental abnormality that manifests in the first three years of life through abnormal behavior. This disorder is characterized by the lack of interaction with others, repetitive, stereotypes behaviors, communication difficulties and others. However, with the aid of family and with special therapies these children can be recovered and can lead quite a normal life.
Lead author Tammy Movsas, clinical assistant professor of Pediatrics at MSU and medical director of the Midland County Department of Public Health, said there has long been a controversy regarding the age at which autism appear and if vaccinations or environmental factors are involved in this disease. Typically, autism is diagnosed when parents observe the child’s behavior abnormalities.
Now the latest research conducted by the Michigan State University shows that autism can be predicted using a cranial ultrasound performed in the first days after birth. It has been found that low-birth weight new borns with enlarged ventricles have a 7 times higher risk of developing autism. It seems that these enlarged ventricles affect the surrounding white matter but it is not yet known why this compression leads to autism.
![\"wp](http://www.e-medblog.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-socializer/public/social-icons/wp-socializer-sprite-mask-32px.gif "\\"Researchers"){kind=icon}
