Aplicação do M-Chat para avaliação de sinais indicativos de risco para transtorno do espectro autista em crianças nascidas prematuras extremas

Abstract

Objective: To identify the risk for the development of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children born in a condition of extreme prematurity and correlate with the conditions of birth. Method: This is a cohort study performed in secondary care, with a sample of 26 patients, being selected from January to August 2017, less than 32 weeks and less than 1500 grams, being followed up at the service. Screening was performed by applying M-CHAT (Modified-Checklist Autism in Toddlers) to the caregivers of the patients, and prenatal, delivery and neonatal intercurrent data were collected from their charts for later correlation. Results: Based on the multivariate analysis, extreme prematurity was associated with ASD in 23.08% of the cases (95% CI 0.83-1.17). It was also correlated with a higher incidence of sepsis (95% CI 0.89 -1,11), hyaline membrane disease (95% CI 0.83-1.17) and the prevalence of vaginal delivery (95% CI 057-1,43). CONCLUSIONS: Like other studies, prematurity was associated with increased screening for ASD. In addition, sepsis and hyaline membrane disease, which are events related to prematurity per se, reinforce how important the prevention of these and the early diagnosis of possible developmental disorders in these patients, such as ASD.