Low level of Vitamin D at birth is linked to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) at the age of three. Senior author Dr. Yuan-Lin Zheng said neonatal Vitamin D status was significantly associated with the risk of ASDs and intellectual disability. Researchers analyzed 27,940 newborns in China, where 310 were diagnosed with ASDs at three years of age, with a prevalence of 1.11 percent.
When the 310 children with ASDs were compared with 1,240 control participants, the risk of ASDs was significantly increased in each of the three lower quartiles of Vitamin D level at birth, when compared with the highest quartile – an increased risk of ASDs by 260 percent in the lowest quartile, 150 percent in the second quartile, and 90 percent in the third quartile. The research appears in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. Diagnosis of autism and autistic spectrum disorder is clinical i.e. it is based on the symptoms the child shows. Tests are done to rule out other conditions which may mimic autism. For example, children who have a hearing problem might show autism-like symptoms such as not responding to their name, etc. So tests are conducted to rule out hearing problems. Diagnostic tests like MRI or genetic testing are done to rule out other conditions which may cause autism. For e.g. autism is known to coexist in fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis. Autism can be diagnosed in many cases by 3 years of age based on the symptoms the child shows. There is no cure for autism. But early diagnosis and early intervention with therapies does improve the long-term outcome in autism. The various therapies recommended are occupational therapy, communication therapy, and behavioral therapy. Medications are used to improve some of the symptoms of irritability, hyperactivity and aggressive behavior when they do not respond to other therapies. The month of April is celebrated worldwide as Autism Awareness month with 2nd April being Autism awareness day. Read here Art Based Therapy for autistic children – how it heals
