Familial risk factors in autism.
Familial history risk factors in relation to autism were examined in a cohort of 164 autistic children referred to The Autism Center at New Jersey Medical School-University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, over a 2-year period (2001-2003). Information related to familial history was obtained from each family and reviewed by a clinician. It is shown that these families carry a higher overall burden of psychiatric and developmental illnesses compared to reported national levels. These families also carry a relatively high incidence of medical disorders, independently of developmental and psychiatric disorders. This work supports the underlying presence of genetic factors in the etiology of autism.
Brimacombe
Michael
M
Department of Preventive Medicine, New Jersey Medical School University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark 07101-1709, USA. brimacmb@umdnj.edu
Xue Ming
Parikh
Amisha
A
D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors