title: An Italian Prospective Experience on the Association Between Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: The aim of this retrospective study, with prospective data collection, was to correlate congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to define its prevalence. Seventy proven congenitally-infected infants, born between 2007 and 2012, were referred to our centre for CMV diagnosis and follow-up, which consisted of a consolidated protocol allowing an early evaluation of autism. We considered four children 2-year old, two of whom, at the age of 3, were diagnosed with ASD demonstrating a 2-3 fold higher prevalence (2.86%), than that in general Italian population (0.66-1.36%).Our protocol enabled us to make the earliest diagnosis and highlight the role of the virus among other causes of autism, which may be a long term sequela of congenital CMV.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100, Pavia, Italy. lab.immunoneo@smatteo.pv.it.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3710-966X
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garofoli
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia Piazzale Golgi 1, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.affiliation: Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orcesi
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia Piazzale Golgi 1, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pisoni
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100, Pavia, Italy.|Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Iolanda
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mazzucchelli
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Micol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Angelini
authors.affiliation: Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Balottin
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Immunology Laboratory, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100, Pavia, Italy.|Neonatal Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia Piazzale Golgi 1, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stronati
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000151:congenital / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Congenital Cytomegalovirus; Neonate; Prevalence