[/caption]Carol Forsloff - “Researchers
presume one child is affected, and the other is not, but our findings
suggest that although one child may have autism while the other does
not, it’s very possible both children are affected to some degree by
genes that contribute to autism.”
John N. Constantino, MD, head researcher on a new study led by researchers
at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, spell out the
subtleties of autism as it relates to the genetic factors.
“Mild symptoms, called quantitative traits, may be confounding studies that
compare children with autism to their siblings,” says Constantino.
“Researchers presume one child is affected, and the other is not, but
our findings suggest that although one child may have autism while the
other does not, it’s very possible both children are affected to some
degree by genes that contribute to autism.”
Researchers tell us these subtle characteristics are found in siblings who
frequently have more frequent language delays. Girls may be more
affected than once thought. These mild traits are found with greater
frequency in families of autistic children than in the general
population.
The findings of the present research are presently in the online edition of The American Journal of Psychiatry.
Subtle, quantitative signs and symptoms indicate many undiagnosed children are
affected as well are important because of how genetic factors are passed
along in families. The undiagnosed may not be autistic but pass on the
traits. Learning how these traits are passed along can lead to early
intervention in the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder.
How genetic factors are involved within families is different. Some
families have more or less characteristics. Some have more than one
child with autism or these subtle characteristics. The present research
found that approximately one in five siblings of autistic children
experienced language delays or speech problems early on, especially
females, although few were autistic themselves.
families have more or less characteristics. Some have more than one
child with autism or these subtle characteristics. The present research
found that approximately one in five siblings of autistic children
experienced language delays or speech problems early on, especially
females, although few were autistic themselves.
“The gender difference may not be as pronounced as we once thought it was,”
Constantino says. “If we rely only on a professional diagnosis of autism
to determine who is affected, then boys vastly outnumber girls. But it
may be that many girls are being missed.”
Constantino says. “If we rely only on a professional diagnosis of autism
to determine who is affected, then boys vastly outnumber girls. But it
may be that many girls are being missed.”
The data comes from almost 3,000 U.S. children in 1,235 families who are
part of the Interactive Autism Network. Research has found about 10
percent of children with autism have genetic mutations that lead to the
disorder.
part of the Interactive Autism Network. Research has found about 10
percent of children with autism have genetic mutations that lead to the
disorder.
“It’s
not an all-or-nothing condition,” Constantino says. “When we look only
at the full syndrome for inherited traits, we miss a lot of individuals
who may have genetic susceptibility and subtle aspects of autism. In
other words, many siblings of children on the spectrum have significant,
subclinical traits of autism, but, for whatever reason, they never
actually develop the disorder.”
not an all-or-nothing condition,” Constantino says. “When we look only
at the full syndrome for inherited traits, we miss a lot of individuals
who may have genetic susceptibility and subtle aspects of autism. In
other words, many siblings of children on the spectrum have significant,
subclinical traits of autism, but, for whatever reason, they never
actually develop the disorder.”
No comments:
Post a Comment
Say something constructive. Negative remarks and name-calling are not allowed.