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Autism spectrum traits and visual processing in young adults with very low birth weight: the Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 December 2016

E. Wolford ,
A.-K. Pesonen ,
K. Heinonen ,
M. Lahti ,
R. Pyhälä ,
J. Lahti ,
P. Hovi ,
S. Strang-Karlsson ,
J. G. Eriksson  and
S. Andersson
...Show all authors
E. Wolford*
Affiliation:
Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
A.-K. Pesonen
Affiliation:
Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
K. Heinonen
Affiliation:
Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
M. Lahti
Affiliation:
Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland University BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
R. Pyhälä
Affiliation:
Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland Folkhälsan Research Centre, Helsinki, Finland
J. Lahti
Affiliation:
Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland Folkhälsan Research Centre, Helsinki, Finland Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
P. Hovi
Affiliation:
Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
S. Strang-Karlsson
Affiliation:
Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
J. G. Eriksson
Affiliation:
Folkhälsan Research Centre, Helsinki, Finland Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
S. Andersson
Affiliation:
Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
A.-L. Järvenpää
Affiliation:
Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
E. Kajantie
Affiliation:
Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Research Centre Oulu, Oulu University Central Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
K. Räikkönen
Affiliation:
Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
*
*Address for correspondence: E. Wolford, Institute of Behavioral Sciences, University of Helsinki, PO Box 9, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. (Email [email protected])
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Abstract

Visual processing problems may be one underlying factor for cognitive impairments related to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We examined associations between ASD-traits (Autism-Spectrum Quotient) and visual processing performance (Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test; Block Design task of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III) in young adults (mean age=25.0, s.d.=2.1 years) born preterm at very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g) (n=101) or at term (n=104). A higher level of ASD-traits was associated with slower global visual processing speed among the preterm VLBW, but not among the term-born group (P<0.04 for interaction). Our findings suggest that the associations between ASD-traits and visual processing may be restricted to individuals born preterm, and related specifically to global, not local visual processing. Our findings point to cumulative social and neurocognitive problems in those born preterm at VLBW.

Keywords

adultsautism spectrum disorder (ASD)pretermvery low birth weight (VLBW)visual processing
Type
Brief Report
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , April 2017 , pp. 161 - 167
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Copyright
© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2016 

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