What is the risk of developing autism disorder in a premature baby?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a mother to a newborn infant. He is a premature baby. I had to undergo an emergency C-section. I had serious health issues during my pregnancy as well. I want to know if my pregnancy health and my son being born prematurely can affect his mental growth. Is it possible this can contribute to him having autistic spectrum disorders? He is still in the NICU for another two weeks.
Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I can understand your concern.
Autism is a multifactorial disorder caused by genetic as well as environmental factors. So, it is difficult to say whether a baby (premature or not) will be autistic. The only thing required is good medical care and regular follow-up. It will detect it early and can be taken care of properly.
Regarding mental growth, the information provided is very limited. It depends on multiple factors during pregnancy and after pregnancy. Extreme premature baby has higher chances of slow mental growth but still majority of them catch up very well and do good.
Keep yourself stress-free to get proper milk secretion, express breast milk, and preserve it. Let the baby get breast milk as much as possible, and once the baby is fit to take it directly, be ready to feed the baby.
Do not worry.
Thanks and regards.
Take care.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.