title: Premature birth as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is common, life-long in nature, and can be very debilitating. Thus, an intensive search is on to identify the potential risk factors for the disorder. Premature birth has been identified as one potential factor that could influence potential symptoms of ASD.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample for this study consisted of 1655 at risk children for developmental delays who were 17-37 months of age. Participants were divided into those diagnosed with ASD (n = 916) and children with atypical development only (n = 739).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Premature births were almost twice as common for the atypical development group versus the ASD group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implications of these data are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge , LA , USA.
authors.forename: Rachel L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Goldin
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Louisiana State University , Baton Rouge , LA , USA.
authors.forename: Johnny L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Matson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; premature birth; risk factors