A recent study by Dr. Cristian Preciado found that when babies don’t get enough oxygen before they’re born, most commonly due to complications during pregnancy, it leads to a condition called “hypoxia.”
Babies who experience this are more likely to have changes in their brains that can cause symptoms similar to autism, like trouble sleeping or being very sensitive to sounds, lights, or touch. These challenges may look like autism, even if the child doesn’t have an official diagnosis.
Prenatal hypoxia
In the study, researchers looked at 104 youths and found that those with autism had experienced low oxygen levels before birth, a condition called prenatal hypoxia. These youths also had a larger third ventricle in their brains compared to both neurotypical children and those with autism, who did not have prenatal hypoxia.
These findings indicate that prenatal hypoxic exposure may have a lasting impact on both brain development and the expression of autism symptoms. The enlargement of the third ventricle, in particular, was linked to heightened sensory sensitivities and more severe sleep disturbances. In essence, prenatal hypoxia plays a significant role in shaping the severity and progression of autism-related difficulties.
Difficult deliveries and a diagnosis of autism
Dr. Greg Vigna, MD, JD, a national birth injury lawyer, stated that they are evaluating children with a history of difficult deliveries and a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. He explained that these children need to be screened with an MRI of the brain, including volumetric analysis of the ventricles.
He also emphasized that Level 2 and Level 3 autism represent not only a significant financial burden on families but also cause considerable psychosocial stress, which ultimately affects the child’s well-being and development. These challenges make it even more crucial to investigate potential birth-related factors.
Obstetrics and gynecology look at the details
Vigna concludes by outlining the steps they take when evaluating children who have autism and a history of difficult births. First, they have a doctor who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology look at the details of the child’s birth to check if anything during the delivery went wrong or was mishandled.
If there are any signs of mistakes or problems during birth, they will then ask for the child’s medical records. This process is important because any issues from the birth could have serious, long-lasting effects on the child, and they want to ensure these are fully understood.
Expert care in Sacramento, including ABA therapy
If your child has been diagnosed with autism and you’re looking for support, don’t hesitate to reach out to Sacramento ABA Therapy. We provide expert care, including ABA therapy, and are here to help your family every step of the way.
