Early factors at infancy that predict a developing neurobehavioral disorder - A pilot study

Background: The increasing incidence of Neurobehavioral Disorders (NBDs), such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is of major concern in public health. Although early detection of a developing NBD is critical to enable intervention while brain plasticity is prominent, no screening tool for NBD development at infancy is available. The aim here was to assess whether risk factors that predict forthcoming NBDs can be identified at early infancy. Methods: The Israeli Health Organization provides a developmental follow-up system since birth at special well-baby-care clinics (‘Tipat Chalav’). The documented data was used to examine the charts of 161 babies, who later in life (2-10 years of age) were diagnosed for NBDs (47 ASD, 56 DCD, 58 ADHD). Their medical history at 0-18 months of age was compared to that of 58 babies with typical development (control group). Ten covariates including 28 parameters were collected, compared and statistically analysed. Results: This analysis indicated that deviation from trajectories of seven parameters (gestational age, birth weight, head circumference percentile, weight percentile, gross motor development, difficulties in speech and communication) may collectively predict the development of ASD with 85% probability. Deviation from trajectories of the above first five parameters may collectively predict the development of DCD with 72% probability. Early risk factors that may predict ADHD development with 58% probability were previously described (Gurevitz et al 2014). Conclusion: This cohort retrospective study illuminates risk factors at infancy that may predict the development of NBDs. Most prominent are deviations from weight followed by deviations in head circumference trajectories, and delay in motor development due to muscle strength and tone irregularities. Identification of risk factors at infancy is crucial for early intervention programs, such as prevention of rapid changes in weight and manipulations to strengthen motor development and the corresponding neural circuits. The sooner risk factors are recognized, more efficient an early tailored bio-psycho-social treatment might be. Trial registration: Retrospectively registered.