Ashley, Sarah A;
Merritt, Kate;
Solmi, Francesca;
Laguna, Pedro L;
Reichenberg, Abraham;
David, Anthony S;
(2024)
A Longitudinal Study of Head Circumference Trajectories in Autism and Autistic Traits.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
10.1007/s10803-024-06578-x.
(In press).
Preview |
Text
Ashley_A Longitudinal Study of Head Circumference Trajectories in Autism and Autistic Traits_AOP.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Increased head circumference is an established finding in autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, it is unclear when this increase occurs, if it persists and whether it manifests across the whole ASD spectrum. Head circumference is a strong predictor of brain size and can therefore provide key insights into brain development in ASD. We used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children to compare head circumference trajectories from birth to 15 years in children with an ASD diagnosis (N = 78, controls = 6,404) or elevated autistic traits as measured using the Social Communication Disorder Checklist (N = 639, controls = 6,230). Exploratory analyses were conducted in those with ASD and co-morbid cognitive learning needs (CLN). Children with an ASD diagnosis had larger head circumference from birth across childhood and adolescence compared to controls in univariable (B = 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28-1.09, p = 0.001) and multivariable models (B = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.003-0.75, p = 0.048). Differences were more marked in those with co-morbid CLN. Children with elevated autistic traits had significantly smaller head circumference compared to controls. There was weak evidence of group differences when height was included as a covariate. Head circumference trajectories in ASD deviate from control children and persist until adolescence. Autistic traits were associated with smaller head circumference, suggesting distinct growth trajectories between clinical cases from those with non-clinical traits.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | A Longitudinal Study of Head Circumference Trajectories in Autism and Autistic Traits |
| Location: | United States |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10803-024-06578-x |
| Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06578-x |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | © 2024 Springer Nature. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
| Keywords: | ALSPAC, Autism, Head Circumference, Longitudinal, Neurodevelopmental |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Division of Psychiatry UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Division of Psychiatry > Institute of Mental Health |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10198702 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
