Menu
06/02/2015
Babies With Frequent Eye Movements Are More Likely To Develop Autism
Babies who move their eyes more often than their peers at the age of six months are more likely to meet criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as children, according to researchers funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC).
Researchers used eye tracking technology to measure 104 babies (aged 6-8 months) at high or low familial risk for ASD. They examined how often babies moved their eyes when scanning a static image.
They found that typical babies moved their eyes about twice a second. However, those babies who later were diagnosed with ASD tended to move their eyes more frequently – about three times a second. These babies were scanning the image more rapidly than their peers.
The researchers hope that these findings may in future help contribute to better ways of identifying babies with early signs of possible behavioural difficulties. However they stress that the research is at an early stage and eye movement alone is a far from reliable indicator that a child may later be diagnosed with ASD.
Lead author, Dr Sam Wass said: "We are still at a very early stage in understanding what these results may mean. Adults with ASD can sometimes process visual information more rapidly than other people, and perhaps that was happening for infants in our study. Alternatively, it could be that these babies need a higher level of stimulation, so they move their eyes more frequently to get more stimulation. Or it could be that when they look at something they are not engaging with it in the same way as other children tend to."
(CD)
Researchers used eye tracking technology to measure 104 babies (aged 6-8 months) at high or low familial risk for ASD. They examined how often babies moved their eyes when scanning a static image.
They found that typical babies moved their eyes about twice a second. However, those babies who later were diagnosed with ASD tended to move their eyes more frequently – about three times a second. These babies were scanning the image more rapidly than their peers.
The researchers hope that these findings may in future help contribute to better ways of identifying babies with early signs of possible behavioural difficulties. However they stress that the research is at an early stage and eye movement alone is a far from reliable indicator that a child may later be diagnosed with ASD.
Lead author, Dr Sam Wass said: "We are still at a very early stage in understanding what these results may mean. Adults with ASD can sometimes process visual information more rapidly than other people, and perhaps that was happening for infants in our study. Alternatively, it could be that these babies need a higher level of stimulation, so they move their eyes more frequently to get more stimulation. Or it could be that when they look at something they are not engaging with it in the same way as other children tend to."
(CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 December 2012
Survival Rates Of Premature Babies Increase
More babies born before 26 weeks are surviving, according to a detailed analysis of the figures for England. Severely premature babies were more likely to survive in 2006 than in 1995, the EPICure study found. There was, however, no improvement before 24 weeks - which is the legal limit for abortion.
Survival Rates Of Premature Babies Increase
More babies born before 26 weeks are surviving, according to a detailed analysis of the figures for England. Severely premature babies were more likely to survive in 2006 than in 1995, the EPICure study found. There was, however, no improvement before 24 weeks - which is the legal limit for abortion.
27 May 2014
Warning Over Increasing Numbers Of Blind Children
A warning has been launched by the charity Blind Children UK over the increasing number of blind or partially sighted children being born, thought to be the result of a rise in the survival rates of severely premature babies. The charity said that one in 20 premature babies surviving is likely to be born blind.
Warning Over Increasing Numbers Of Blind Children
A warning has been launched by the charity Blind Children UK over the increasing number of blind or partially sighted children being born, thought to be the result of a rise in the survival rates of severely premature babies. The charity said that one in 20 premature babies surviving is likely to be born blind.
01 September 2015
Meningitis B Vaccinations For Newborn Babies Begins Across UK
A new programme is underway to vaccinate all newborn babies against meningitis B in the UK. It is understood the scheme, which begins today 1 September, is the first of its kind in the world. Babies will be offered the MenB vaccine with other routine vaccinations at two months, four months and 12 to 13 months of age.
Meningitis B Vaccinations For Newborn Babies Begins Across UK
A new programme is underway to vaccinate all newborn babies against meningitis B in the UK. It is understood the scheme, which begins today 1 September, is the first of its kind in the world. Babies will be offered the MenB vaccine with other routine vaccinations at two months, four months and 12 to 13 months of age.
05 January 2015
Babies To Be Tested For Rare Conditions
All babies born in England from today, 5 January, will be offered screening for more rare conditions, according to Public Health England (PHE). The screening is to prevent premature disability and death.
Babies To Be Tested For Rare Conditions
All babies born in England from today, 5 January, will be offered screening for more rare conditions, according to Public Health England (PHE). The screening is to prevent premature disability and death.
03 July 2014
New Warnings Over Dangers Of Falling Asleep With Babies
The National Institute For Clinical Excellence (Nice) has launched new warnings over the dangers of parents falling asleep with babies less than a year old. Current advice warns parents not to 'co-sleep' with babies until they are six to eight weeks old.
New Warnings Over Dangers Of Falling Asleep With Babies
The National Institute For Clinical Excellence (Nice) has launched new warnings over the dangers of parents falling asleep with babies less than a year old. Current advice warns parents not to 'co-sleep' with babies until they are six to eight weeks old.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
