Apgar score and risk of autism

Association of cerebral palsy with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children: a large-scale nationwide population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of cerebral palsy with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), providing evidence for interdisciplinary medical service for children with cerebral palsy.

DESIGN

A large-scale nationwide population-based study.

SETTING

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

PATIENTS

177 899 children aged 3-17 years among NHIS participants from 1997 to 2003 and 2008 to 2018.

RESULTS

Among the 177 899 children included in this analysis, 602 (0.33%) had cerebral palsy, 1997 (1.16%) had ASD, and 13 697 (7.91%) had ADHD. Compared with children without cerebral palsy, children with cerebral palsy had a higher prevalence of ASD (6.09% vs 1.15%; p<0.001) and ADHD (15.91% vs 7.89%; p<0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, family highest education level, family income level and geographical region, the OR among children with cerebral palsy, compared with children without cerebral palsy, was 5.07 (95% CI 3.25 to 7.91) for ASD (p<0.001) and 1.95 (95% CI 1.43 to 2.66) for ADHD (p<0.001). Furthermore, the association of cerebral palsy with ASD and ADHD remained significant in all subgroups stratified by age, sex and race.

CONCLUSION

In a large, nationally representative sample of US children, this study shows that children with cerebral palsy are at an increased risk of ASD and ADHD.

Prenatal, perinatal and parental risk factors for autism spectrum disorder in China: a case- control study

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is heritable neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), but environmental risk factors have also been suggested to a play a role in its development. Prenatal, perinatal and parental factors have been associated with an increased risk of ASD in children. The aim of the present study was to explore the prenatal, perinatal, and parenting risk factors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from Beijing, China by comparing them with typically developing (TD) children.

METHODS

A sample of 151 ASD children's parents who from rehabilitation institutions in Beijing were enrolled in this study, and an additional 151 children from kindergartens in Beijing were recruited as a control group (child age: mean = 4.4 years). TD children were matched according to age, sex and maternal education. We explored the maternal AQ (Autism Spectrum Quotient) scores (mean:19.40-19.71, no significant difference between two groups) to referring the genetic baseline. This study evaluated 17 factors with unadjusted and adjusted analyses.

RESULTS

Birth asphyxia was associated with a more than a thirteen-fold higher risk of ASD (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 13.42). Breastfeeding difficulties were associated with a higher risk of ASD(AOR = 3.46). Parenting influenced the risk of ASD, with low responding (LR) and harsh or neglectful parenting associated with a higher risk of ASD in offspring (AOR = 2.37 for LR, AOR = 3.42 for harsh parenting and AOR = 3.01 for neglectful parenting). Maternal fever during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of ASD in offspring (AOR = 3.81).

CONCLUSIONS

Many factors were associated with ASD in offspring. Further assessment is needed to elucidate the role of modifiable environmental factors to inform prevention strategies.

Exposures during pregnancy and at birth are associated with the risk of offspring eating disorders

BACKGROUND

Eating disorders (ED) are severe psychiatric disorders, commonly debuting early. Aberrances in the intrauterine environment and at birth have been associated with risk of ED. Here, we explore if, and at what effect size, a variety of such exposures associate with offspring ED, that is, anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS).

METHODS

This population-based cohort study, conducted from September 2021 to August 2023, used Finnish national registries of all live births in 1996-2014 (N = 1,097,753). Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to compare ED risk in exposed versus unexposed offspring, adjusting for potential confounders and performing sex-stratified analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 6614 offspring were diagnosed with an ED; 3668 AN, 666 BN, and 4248 EDNOS. Lower risk of offspring AN was seen with young mothers, continued smoking, and instrumental delivery, while higher risk was seen with older mothers, inflammatory disorders, prematurity, small for gestational age, and low Apgar. Offspring risk of BN was higher with continued smoking and prematurity, while lower with postmature birth. Offspring risk of EDNOS was lower with instrumental delivery, higher for older mothers, polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin-treated pregestational diabetes, antibacterial treatment, prematurity, and small for gestational age. Sex-specific associations were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Several prenatal and at birth exposures are associated with offspring ED; however, we cannot exclude confounding by maternal BMI. Nevertheless, several exposures selectively associate with risk of either AN, BN, or EDNOS, and some are sex-specific, emphasizing the importance of subtype- and sex-stratified analyses of ED.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

We define environmental factors involved in the development of different ED, of importance as preventive measure, but also in order to aid in defining the molecular pathways involved and thus in the longer perspective contribute to the development of pharmacological treatment of ED.

Maternal thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity and its association with incidence of low birth weight in infants

Background

Autoimmune thyroid disease is a prevalent condition affecting women of reproductive age, leading to thyroid dysfunction and impacting pregnancy outcomes. While the critical role of thyroid hormone in pregnancy outcomes is well-established, the potential association between positive anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with normal thyroid function remains unclear.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the relationship between maternal TPOAb positivity and adverse pregnancy outcomes with normal thyroid function.

Methods

We collected baseline information from pregnant women who visited our hospital between February 2009 and June 2012. Blood samples were taken to measure thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), TPOAb, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb). The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes was compared between TPOAb-positive and TPOAb-negative groups among participants with normal thyroid function.

Results

A total of 7,046 pregnant women with normal thyroid function were included, comprising 6,700 with negative TPOAb and 346 with positive TPOAb. The TPOAb-positive group exhibited a higher age (26.0 vs. 27.0 years, p = 0.02) and greater serum TSH levels (1.72 vs. 1.94 mIU/L, p = 0.029), while the gestational week of blood collection was lower (31.9 vs. 26.5 weeks, p = 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed a higher incidence of low birth weight (LBW) in offspring of TPOAb-positive women compared to the TPOAb-negative group (3.5% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.035). After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, gestational week of blood collection, menstrual history, education level, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, TGAb, TSH, and FT4, TPOAb positivity emerged as an independent risk factor for LBW infants (OR: 2.317, 95% CI: 1.057-5.076, p = 0.036), while other adverse pregnancy outcomes did not show a significant correlation with TPOAb positivity.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that TPOAb-positive pregnant women with normal thyroid function are more likely to deliver LBW infants. Regular monitoring of TPOAb-positive pregnancies and timely interventions throughout all stages of pregnancy are crucial.

Association between previous abortion history and risk of autism spectrum disorders among offspring: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have been showed an association between previous abortion history and risk of Autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, there is still controversy about true effect estimate of the association.

PURPOSE

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between previous abortion history and the risk of ASD.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences databases to identify potential studies published until December 2021. The presence of statistical heterogeneity was determined using the I2 value. In the case of substantial heterogeneity, the random-effects model meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled relative risks. The publication bias was assessed using the Egger and Begg tests.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies with a total of 331,779 children remained in the present meta-analysis. The estimated odds ratio of the risk of ASD associated with previous abortion history was 1.64 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-2.0; I2=61.7%) in adjusted studies and 1.10 (95% CI, 1.01-1.20; I2=0.0%) in crude studies, based on the random effect model. There was moderate heterogeneity in adjusted studies. The p values for Egger and Begg regression among children with ASD were 0.393 and 0.056, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests that children born from mothers with a history of previous abortion have an increased risk of development of ASD compared to children of mothers without a history of previous abortion.

Review of the Reliability and Validity of the Apgar Score

BACKGROUND

The Apgar score is the most common score used to quantify neonatal status after birth. It is routinely used in clinical practice and research. However, since its introduction there have been significant changes in peripartum and neonatal management, our understanding of neonatal physiology, and changes in data analysis capabilities.

PURPOSE

To assess the Apgar score's reliability and validity in the context of today's clinical and research environments.

METHOD

PubMed was searched using the term "Apgar." Just over 22,000 titles were identified. Full-text articles were obtained if they addressed the Apgar score's use, reliability, and validity, or if the score was a primary outcome measure. This was followed by a hand search using the same criteria. The 505 identified articles build the basis for this discussion of the Apgar score's reliability and validity.

FINDINGS

Multiple positive and negative aspects of the Apgar score's reliability and validity were identified. Some facets needed to evaluate reliability and validity do not seem to have been addressed in the literature. Overall, the identified concerns can introduce bias into outcomes obtained via the use of the Apgar score in both clinical practice and research.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The Apgar score is no longer used to determine neonatal management in the delivery room.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

The use of the Apgar score in research may introduce bias into outcomes. As discussed in the Video Abstract, researchers need to address and improve the score's weaknesses or consider developing a new tool better suited to today's research needs.

VIDEO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE AT

https://journals.lww.com/advancesinneonatalcare/Pages/videogallery.aspx?autoPlay=false&videoId=45.

Five-Minute Apgar Score and the Risk of Mental Disorders During the First Four Decades of Life: A Nationwide Registry-Based Cohort Study in Denmark

Objectives:

The associations of long-term risks of the full spectrum of mental disorders with clinically reassuring but suboptimal score range 7–9 remain unclear. This study investigated these associations during up to 38 years of follow-up.

Methods:

In a nationwide cohort study of 2,213,822 singletons born in Denmark during 1978–2015, we used cox regression to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of mental disorders with a 95% CI.

Results:

A total of 3,00,679 (13.6%) individuals were diagnosed with mental disorders. The associations between suboptimal Apgar score 7–9 and mental disorders differed by attained age. In childhood (≤ 18 years), declining Apgar scores were associated with increased risks of overall mental disorders with HRs (95% CI) of 1.13(1.11-1.15), 1.34 (1.27–1.41), and 1.48 (1.31–1.67) for Apgar scores of 7–9, 4–6, and 1–3, respectively, compared with a score of 10. A dose-response association was seen even within the score range from 9 to 7 (HR 1.11 [95% CI: 1.08–1.13], 1.14 [1.10–1.18], and 1.20 [1.14–1.27], respectively). Of note, individuals with scores of 7–9 had increased risks of organic disorders (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05–1.53), neurotic disorders (HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03–1.11), and a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as intellectual disability (1.87, 1.76–1.98), childhood autism (1.13, 1.05–1.22) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (1.10, 1.06–1.15). In early adulthood (19–39 years), suboptimal Apgar scores 7–9 were not associated with the risks of overall and specific mental disorders.

Conclusion:

Infants born with clinically reassuring but suboptimal 5-min scores 7–9 are at increased risks of a wide spectrum of mental disorders in childhood.

A prospective cohort study of the association between the Apgar score and developmental status at 3 years of age: the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS)

Apgar score (AS) is a well-established tool for assessing viability of newborns, and its association with subsequent child development has been suggested. We aimed to assess whether Apgar scores (ASs) ≥ 7 (generally considered normal) are associated with the developmental status at 3 years of age while adjusting for perinatal and socioeconomic confounders. We extracted the data of ASs at 1 and 5 min among participants of the Japan Environment and Children's Study datasets, which were used in this nationwide cohort study. The outcomes comprised developmental status that was less than each cutoff value for the following five domains of the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (Japanese version, 3^rd edition): communication, gross and fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social domains. For this objective, we conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses on the data of 54,716 children. Compared with ASs ≥ 9 at 5 min, the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for delayed development in children with ASs ≤ 8 were 1.31 (95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.56), 1.20 (1.04-1.38), and 1.16 (1.01-1.34), respectively, for gross and fine motor, and problem-solving domains. Among neonates with ASs ≤ 8 at 1 min, when those with ASs ≤ 8 at 5 min were compared with those with ASs ≥ 9 at 5 min, the aOR for gross motor domain was 1.34 (1.11-1.61).Conclusion: ASs ≤ 8 compared with those ≥ 9 at 5 min, even considering the change of AS from 1 to 5 min, were associated with increased ORs for developmental delay in 3-year-olds. Even ASs that are considered normal might affect the subsequent development. What is Known: • Apgar score is a general tool for evaluating the vitality of newborns. It is also basically measured at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth and the scores of ≥7 are considered normal. • The Apgar scores at each minute affect clinical findings of neonates after birth and the subsequent long-term development. What is New: • Neonates with Apgar scores of ≤8 at 5 minutes compared with those of ≥9, including the change in Apgar score from 1 minute to 5 minutes, are associated with increased odds ratios for developmental status at 3 years of age adjusting for perinatal and socioeconomic confounders.

Association between prenatal and perinatal factors and the severity of clinical presentation of children with ASD: Report from the ELENA COHORT

Many studies have suggested that prenatal and perinatal factors increase the risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, few reports have addressed the question of their influence on the severity of the clinical presentation of children with ASD. Our objective was to determine the prenatal and perinatal factors that are associated with the severity of autistic symptoms and intellectual and adaptive functioning deficits. Data were collected from a subset of 169 children with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD, recruited from the ELENA cohort. A risk of premature delivery was associated, with an increased risk for severe autistic symptoms and placental pathologies and birth complications were associated with an increased risk of communication adaptive deficits, in multivariate analysis. Our results highlight the importance of systematic screening for these pre/perinatal factors, especially in mothers at risk of having a child with ASD.

Neonatal Levels of Acute Phase Proteins and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder

BACKGROUND

Immune signaling pathways influence neurodevelopment and are hypothesized to contribute to the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We aimed to assess risk of ASD in relation to levels of neonatal acute phase proteins (APPs), key components of innate immune function, measured in neonatal dried blood spots.

METHODS

We included 924 ASD cases, 1092 unaffected population-based controls, and 203 unaffected siblings of ASD cases in this case-control study nested within the register-based Stockholm Youth Cohort. Concentrations of 9 different APPs were measured in eluates from neonatal dried blood spots from cases, controls, and siblings using a bead-based multiplex assay.

RESULTS

Neonatal C-reactive protein was consistently associated with odds of ASD in case-control comparisons, with higher odds associated with the highest quintile compared with the middle quintile (odds ratio [OR] = 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10-2.04) in adjusted analyses. In contrast, the lowest quintiles of α-2-macroglobulin (OR = 3.71, CI = 1.21-11.33), ferritin (OR = 4.20, CI = 1.40-12.65), and serum amyloid P (OR = 3.05, CI = 1.16-8.01) were associated with odds of ASD in the matched sibling comparison. Neonatal APPs varied with perinatal environmental factors and maternal/fetal phenotypes. Significant interactions in terms of risk for ASD were observed between neonatal APPs and maternal infection during late pregnancy, maternal anemia, and maternal psychiatric history.

CONCLUSIONS

Indicators of the neonatal innate immune response are associated with risk of ASD, although the nature of these associations varies considerably with factors in the perinatal environment and the genetic background of the comparison group.

Gestational age and the risk of autism spectrum disorder in Sweden, Finland, and Norway: A cohort study

INTRODUCTION

The complex etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is still unresolved. Preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation) and its complications are the leading cause of death of babies in the world, and those who survive often have long-term health problems. Length of gestation, including preterm birth, has been linked to ASD risk, but robust estimates for the whole range of gestational ages (GAs) are lacking. The primary objective of this study was to provide a detailed and robust description of ASD risk across the entire range of GAs while adjusting for sex and size for GA.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Our study had a multinational cohort design, using population-based data from medical registries in three Nordic countries: Sweden, Finland, and Norway. GA was estimated in whole weeks based on ultrasound. Children were prospectively followed from birth for clinical diagnosis of ASD. Relative risk (RR) of ASD was estimated using log-binomial regression. Analyses were also stratified by sex and by size for GA. The study included 3,526,174 singletons born 1995 to 2015, including 50,816 (1.44%) individuals with ASD. In the whole cohort, 165,845 (4.7%) were born preterm. RR of ASD increased by GA, from 40 to 24 weeks and from 40 to 44 weeks of gestation. The RR of ASD in children born in weeks 22-31, 32-36, and 43-44 compared to weeks 37-42 were estimated at 2.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.15-2.48; 1.67% vs 0.83%; p-value < 0.001), 1.35 (95% CI 1.30-1.40; 1.08% vs 0.83%; p-value < 0.001), and 1.37 (95% CI 1.21-1.54; 1.74% vs 0.83%; p-value < 0.001), respectively. The main limitation of this study is the lack of data on potential causes of pre- or postterm birth. Also, the possibility of residual confounding should be considered.

CONCLUSION

In the current study, we observed that the RR of ASD increased weekly as the date of delivery diverged from 40 weeks, both pre- and postterm, independently of sex and size for GA. Given the unknown etiology of ASD and the lifelong consequences of the disorder, identifying groups of increased risk associated with a potentially modifiable risk factor is important.

Associations between metabolic acidosis at birth and reduced Apgar scores within the normal range (7-10): A Swedish cohort study of term non-malformed infants

BACKGROUND

Risks of neonatal and long-term neurological outcomes are influenced by metabolic acidosis at birth and by reduced Apgar scores, even within the normal range (7-10).

OBJECTIVE

To analyse associations between metabolic acidosis at birth and risks of reduced Apgar scores within the normal range.

METHODS

In a Swedish cohort of term non-malformed infants born between 2008 and 2013, we included 81 861 infants with information from cord blood gas analyses and Apgar score values of 7-10 at 1, 5, and 10 minutes. Poisson log-linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between metabolic acidosis at birth (defined as pH <7.05 or <7.10 and base deficit ≥12) and Apgar scores of 7, 8, and 9. Adjusted risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (C). were calculated.

RESULTS

Compared with infants without metabolic acidosis, the adjusted RR of an Apgar score of 9 at 5 minutes was 3.14 (95% CI 2.57, 3.84) in infants with metabolic acidosis (pH <7.05 as cut-off), and 10.13 (95% CI 7.63, 13.45) and 7.60 (95% CI 3.54, 16.33) for Apgar scores of 8 and 7, respectively. Corresponding RRs of Apgar scores at 10 minutes were also substantially increased. The magnitude of RDs varied, but was consistently increased. Both reduced Apgar scores and metabolic acidosis (pH <7.10) influenced neonatal morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

Metabolic acidosis is associated with increased risks of reduced Apgar scores within the normal range. Due to international variations in the assessment of Apgar score, our findings need to be confirmed in other populations.

A Comparison of Apgar Scores and Changes in the Neonates of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Patients Treated with Metformin versus Glyburide: A Systematic Review

<b>Aims</b>: This study aims to compare the Apgar scores (at different time points after birth) and their changes between the newborns of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients treated with metformin and glyburide, respectively. <b>Methods:</b> Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials that compared these outcomes between the above-depicted intervention groups. The data about the study design, the population characteristics, the interventions compared, and the outcomes of interest were extracted from the eligible trials. Then, these trials were critically appraised by the Cochrane tool. After that, the effect of the tested interventions on the respective outcomes of interest was reported narratively. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The literature search produced 4 single-center trials sourcing data from about 538 participants in the USA, Brazil, and Israel. The risk of detection and performance bias was unclear in the respective trials. The trials primarily reported about the Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min after birth. These scores were not different between glyburide- and metformin-treated GDM patients in any trial. No trial reported the Apgar score at 10 min after birth or the changes in Apgar score between 1, 5, or 10 min after birth. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In all trials, the Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min after birth did not vary between the newborns of GDM mothers treated with metformin and glyburide, respectively.

Objectives, design and main findings until 2020 from the Rotterdam Study

The Rotterdam Study is an ongoing prospective cohort study that started in 1990 in the city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The study aims to unravel etiology, preclinical course, natural history and potential targets for intervention for chronic diseases in mid-life and late-life. The study focuses on cardiovascular, endocrine, hepatic, neurological, ophthalmic, psychiatric, dermatological, otolaryngological, locomotor, and respiratory diseases. As of 2008, 14,926 subjects aged 45 years or over comprise the Rotterdam Study cohort. Since 2016, the cohort is being expanded by persons aged 40 years and over. The findings of the Rotterdam Study have been presented in over 1700 research articles and reports. This article provides an update on the rationale and design of the study. It also presents a summary of the major findings from the preceding 3 years and outlines developments for the coming period.

Association between Apgar scores of 7 to 9 and neonatal mortality and morbidity: population based cohort study of term infants in Sweden

OBJECTIVE

To investigate associations between Apgar scores of 7, 8, and 9 (versus 10) at 1, 5, and 10 minutes, and neonatal mortality and morbidity.

DESIGN

Population based cohort study.

SETTING

Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

1 551 436 non-malformed live singleton infants, born at term (≥37 weeks' gestation) between 1999 and 2016, with Apgar scores of ≥7 at 1, 5, and 10 minutes.

EXPOSURES

Infants with Apgar scores of 7, 8, and 9 at 1, 5, and 10 minutes were compared with those with an Apgar score of 10 at 1, 5, and 10 minutes, respectively.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Neonatal mortality and morbidity, including neonatal infections, asphyxia related complications, respiratory distress, and neonatal hypoglycaemia. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR), adjusted rate differences (aRD), and 95% confidence intervals were estimated.

RESULTS

Compared with infants with an Apgar score of 10, aORs for neonatal mortality, neonatal infections, asphyxia related complications, respiratory distress, and neonatal hypoglycaemia were higher among infants with lower Apgar scores, especially at 5 and 10 minutes. For example, the aORs for respiratory distress for an Apgar score of 9 versus 10 were 2.0 (95% confidence interval 1.9 to 2.1) at 1 minute, 5.2 (5.1 to 5.4) at 5 minutes, and 12.4 (12.0 to 12.9) at 10 minutes. Compared with an Apgar score of 10 at 10 minutes, the aRD for respiratory distress was 9.5% (95% confidence interval 9.2% to 9.9%) for an Apgar score of 9 at 10 minutes, and 41.9% (37.7% to 46.4%) for an Apgar score of 7 at 10 minutes. A reduction in Apgar score from 10 at 5 minutes to 9 at 10 minutes was also associated with higher odds of neonatal morbidity, compared with a stable Apgar score of 10 at 5 and 10 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

In term non-malformed infants with Apgar scores within the normal range (7 to 10), risks of neonatal mortality and morbidity are higher among infants with lower Apgar score values, and also among those experiencing a reduction in score from 5 minutes to 10 minutes (compared with infants with stable Apgar scores of 10).