![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodmenproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/volodymyr-hryshchenko-87ev1NvhDsU-unsplash.jpg.webp)
<\/source><\/picture>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
By Beata Mostafavi<\/a><\/p>\n Children who contracted a viral infection known as\u00a0congenital cytomegalovirus in utero may be nearly two and half times more likely to be diagnosed with autism<\/a><\/b>, a study suggests.<\/p>\n Congenital CMV is the most common congenital infection in the United States, affecting one in every 200 babies.<\/p>\n While most infants with congenital CMV are healthy, nearly one in five experience birth defects or other long term health problems.<\/p>\n Complications may include vision or hearing loss and a higher risk of cerebral palsy, epilepsy and developmental delays.<\/p>\n The risk of having an autism diagnosis was more than four and a half times more likely among females born with the condition compared to those without it and twice as likely for male babies,\u00a0according to the study in the American Academy of Pediatrics journal Pediatrics.<\/p>\n \u201cOur findings suggest a potentially heightened risk of autism among children born with a congenital CMV infection,\u201d said lead author\u00a0Megan Pesch, M.D.<\/a><\/b>, a developmental behavioral pediatrician at\u00a0University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children\u2019s Hospital<\/a><\/b>\u00a0whose\u00a0daughter has both diagnoses<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis data should prompt us as clinicians to proactively monitor for early signs of autism in children with congenital cytomegalovirus. This may be especially critical for children who are deaf or hard of hearing since diagnosing autism in this population can be particularly challenging.\u201d<\/p>\n Researchers analyzed insurance claims for nearly three million children using Medicaid or the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program.<\/p>\n An estimated one in three pregnant people passes a CMV infection on to their babies when the virus passes through the placenta.<\/p>\n When this occurs, Pesch says, it may activate an inflammatory state that could potentially impact fetal brain development and increase the risk of autism.<\/p>\n Pesch is among clinicians who have advocated for routine neonatal screening for CMV, which often doesn\u2019t show any symptoms during pregnancy or at birth.<\/p>\n \u201cMore states in the U.S. and parts of Canada have recently implemented congenital CMV screening programs, which provides an opportunity for early intervention,\u201d Pesch said.<\/p>\n Autism is a neurological and developmental condition that affects how people interact, communicate and learn.<\/p>\n \u2013Megan Pesch, M.D.<\/a><\/p>\n People of the spectrum tend to have particular preferences for social interactions, communication, and sensory experiences.<\/p>\n For instance, some autistic people may find eye contact to be uncomfortable, but find great joy in the sensation of jumping, or they may be particularly passionate about seemingly unusual topics (e.g. model trains, or dinosaurs.)<\/p>\n Experts believe its development is likely influenced by diverse genetic and environmental factors, including the intrauterine environment.<\/p>\n Previous research has identified associations between certain prenatal exposures to some viruses and the risk of autism.<\/p>\n There was no association, Pesch notes, between CMV and autism in children who had a congenital central nervous system anomaly, such as structural or functional abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord that occur during fetal development.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need further research to better understand the relationship between CMV and autism,\u201d Pesch said.<\/p>\n \u201cUniversal congenital CMV screening may not only improve detection before symptoms develop and lead to more timely intervention but also help us clarify the risk of autism among this population. Most importantly, this provides an opportunity to best support these children and their families\u201d<\/p>\n Additional authors include Jessica Leung, M.P.H. and Tatiana Lanzieri, M.D., M.P.H., of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; and Sarah Tinker, Ph.D.; Charles Rose, Ph.D.; Melissa Danielson, MSPH; Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, M.D., and Scott Grosse, Ph.D., of the National Center on Birth Defects and Development Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/p>\n Disclosures:<\/strong><\/b>\u00a0Pesch serves on the executive board for the national CMV Foundation in an unpaid position.<\/p>\n Paper cited: \u201cAutism Spectrum Disorder Diagnoses and Congenital Cytomegalovirus,\u201d\u00a0Pediatrics<\/em>.\u00a0DOI: 10.1542\/peds.2023-064081<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Sign up for Health Lab newsletters today.\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>Get medical tips from top experts and learn about new scientific discoveries every week by\u00a0<\/em>subscribing to Health Lab\u2019s two newsletters<\/em><\/a><\/b>, Health & Wellness and Research & Innovation.<\/em><\/p>\n Sign up for the Health Lab Podcast:\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>Add us on\u00a0<\/em>Spotify<\/em><\/a><\/b>,\u00a0<\/em>Apple Podcasts<\/em><\/a><\/b>\u00a0or wherever you get you listen to your favorite shows.<\/em><\/p>\n \u2014<\/p>\n Previously Published<\/a> on michiganmedicine.org with Creative Commons License<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. A $50 annual membership gives you an all access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class and community. A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group and our online communities. A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community. <\/p>\nImproving early detection<\/strong><\/b><\/h3>\n
\n
This data should prompt us as clinicians to proactively monitor for early signs of autism in children with congenital\u00a0cytomegalovirus. This may be especially critical for children who are deaf or hard of hearing since diagnosing autism in this population can be particularly challenging.<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n
You Might Also Like These From The Good Men Project<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today.<\/h2>\n