The researchers found that newborns with low-birth-weight were seven times more likely to be diagnosed with autism if they had enlarged cavities in the brain that store spinal fluid.
The abnormalities were detected by an ultrasound taken just after birth.
“For many years there’s been a lot of controversy about whether vaccinations or environmental factors influence the development of autism, and there’s always the question of at what age a child begins to develop the disorder,” said lead author Tammy Movsas, clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at MSU and medical director of the Midland County Department of Public Health. “What this study shows us is that an ultrasound scan within the first few days of life may already be able to detect brain abnormalities that indicate a higher risk of developing autism.”
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