Parental Stress and Quality of Life in Parents of Young Children with Autism.

Parents of children with ASD are at risk for chronic stress due to challenging parenting. It is unknown whether stress is already present in early parenthood, similar for mothers and fathers and if this impacts quality of life (QoL). Parental stress and QoL were assessed in 56 mothers and 51 fathers of young children (aged 3 to 7) with autism.

Maternal Migration, Prenatal Stress and Child Autistic Traits: Insights From a Population-Based Cohort Study.

Objective: There is emerging evidence for an increased prevalence of autism in children of mothers with a migration background. To date, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are poorly understood. We investigated whether prenatal stress exposure mediates the association between maternal migration and child autistic traits, assessing first- and second-generation migrant mothers in the Netherlands and their children.

The impact of raising a child with a developmental or physical health condition in Ethiopia.

Objective: Raising a child with a developmental disability or physical health condition can have a major impact on the lives of their families, especially in low-income countries. We explored the impact on such families in Ethiopia.

Study Design: A total of 241 child-caregiver dyads were recruited from two public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Novel Insights into Obesity in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Obesity is present in 8-32% of the children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, most studies are performed in school-aged children from the USA. The current study compares obesity rates of Dutch preschoolers with ASD with children from the Dutch general population and explores which child- and parental factors are related to obesity in children with ASD.

Metabolic syndrome in adults with autistic traits: associated psychological, behavioral, and biological factors in females and males - a PharmLines initiative.

Background: While cardiovascular diseases is highly prevalent and an important cause of mortality in autistic adults, knowledge on their increased cardiovascular risk is limited. Hence, this study aimed to investigate psychological, behavioral, and physical factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults with autistic traits.

Methods: In total, 17,705 adults from the Lifelines Cohort were included and categorized using Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 sum-scores.

Psychological, behavioural, and physical aspects of caregiver strain in autism-caregivers: a cohort study.

Background: People who give care to autistic individuals (autism-caregivers) experience higher levels of caregiver strain than people who provide care for individuals with other chronic conditions (non-autism-caregivers). This places them at higher risk for psychological, behavioural and physical health concerns. The aim of this study is to delineate psychological, behavioural, and physical aspects of caregiver strain in autism-caregivers compared to non-autism-caregivers.

Novel Insights into Somatic Comorbidities in Children and Adolescents Across Psychiatric Diagnoses: An Explorative Study.

Many children with psychiatric disorders display somatic symptoms, although these are frequently overlooked. As somatic morbidity early in life negatively influences long-term outcomes, it is relevant to assess comorbidity. However, studies of simultaneous psychiatric and somatic assessment in children are lacking.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Times of COVID-19: Examining Emotional and Behavioral Problems, Parental Well-Being, and Resilience.

This longitudinal study assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n = 62; M = 13 years) by measuring emotional and behavioral problems before and during the pandemic, and by comparing this change to a matched sample of children without ASD (n = 213; M = 16 years). Moreover, we examined whether indicators of parental well-being promoted resilience of children with ASD. Results showed that the mean change in problems did not differ between children with and without ASD.

Psychological, behavioural and biological factors associated with gastrointestinal symptoms in autistic adults and adults with autistic traits.

Little is known about factors related to the increased risk for gastrointestinal symptoms in adults with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while the negative impact of gastrointestinal symptoms is evident. Especially, the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological, behavioural, and biological risk factors in adults with ASD (traits) is unclear. Autistic peer support workers and autism-advocates also emphasised the importance of identifying risk factors, because of the high prevalence of gastrointestinal problems in people with ASD.

[Care for adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder and an intellectual disability].

Background: Due to an experienced gap in care for adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and an intellectual disability (ID), an interdisciplinary outpatient clinic was initiated by child- and adolescent psychiatry services together with intellectual disability physicians in the Rotterdam region in 2017.

Aim: Evaluation of the ASD-ID outpatient clinic.

Method: A retrospective chart review study of the first year of the ASD-ID outpatient clinic was performed.

Stress, Eating Behavior and Adverse Health in Parents of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience chronic stress and are at risk for adverse health. However, little is known about fathers, especially when their child is in early childhood. Parenting stress, eating behavior and physical health was evaluated in mothers (n = 48) and fathers (n = 43) of young children (3-7 years) with ASD by questionnaires and physical measurements.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and their families: a mixed-methods study protocol.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for everyone, particularly for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a developmental disorder characterised by limitations in social communication, repetitive behavioural patterns, and limited interests, and activities. It is expected that many families with children with ASD will experience more problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related public health restrictions.

Effectivity of Play-Based Interventions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents: A Systematic Review.

Evidence of the effectivity of play-based interventions in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was evaluated by PRISMA-based literature study and a Risk of Bias (RoB) assessment. Many of the 32 eligible randomized controlled trials (RCT) reported improved social interaction, communication, daily functioning and play behaviour. They also reported decreased problem behaviour, better parental attunement and parent-child interaction.

Early detection of young children at risk of autism spectrum disorder at well-baby clinics in the Netherlands: Perspectives of preventive care physicians.

To improve early detection of autism spectrum disorder in preventive care, a Dutch guideline was developed 5 years ago. The guideline provides preventive care physicians at well-baby clinics action-oriented advice and describes a step-by-step approach for children identified at an increased risk for autism spectrum disorder during general healthcare surveillance. The present qualitative study evaluated adherence to the guideline and studied barriers regarding early detection of autism spectrum disorder at well-baby clinics.

[Hyperprolactinemia and antipsychotics: it's not always what it seems to be].

Hyperprolactinemia is a relatively frequent laboratory abnormality (30-80%) as a result of antipsychotics and a reason to reduce or stop them. We describe two youngsters with autism spectrum disorder whose hyperprolactinemia was based on a false-positive laboratory finding due to macroprolactin. The consequences were: unnecessary endocrinological evaluation including a brain MRI, and undesirable antipsychotic dose reduction.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Alertness in Dutch Youth and Family Center Physicians: Effects of a Live Online Educational Program.

We investigated the effect of a live online educational program in 93 Dutch Youth and Family Center (YFC) physicians who were screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the general child population. The educational program raised the physicians' level of specific ASD knowledge and it remained higher at six months follow-up (p < .01).

Age at autism spectrum disorder diagnosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis from 2012 to 2019.

We currently assume that the global mean age at diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder ranges from 38 to 120 months. However, this range is based on studies from 1991 to 2012 and measures have since been introduced to reduce the age at autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis (statistical analysis that combines the results of multiple scientific studies) for studies published between 2012 and 2019 to evaluate the current age at autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.

Risk factors and pattern of weight gain in youths using antipsychotic drugs.

Antipsychotic-induced weight gain is a major health concern in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for weight gain during short-, middle- and long-term treatment with antipsychotic drugs in this young population. We analysed a combined prospective and a retrospective observational cohort of Dutch children and adolescents, starting with risperidone, aripiprazole or pipamperone treatment.

Risperidone plasma concentrations are associated with side effects and effectiveness in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

Aim: Risperidone is the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic drug to children and adolescents worldwide, but it is associated with serious side effects, including weight gain. This study assessed the relationship of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone trough concentrations, maximum concentrations and 24-hour area under the curves (AUCs) with body mass index (BMI) z-scores in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and behavioural problems. Secondary outcomes were metabolic, endocrine, extrapyramidal and cardiac side effects and effectiveness.

Novel Insights into Autism Knowledge and Stigmatizing Attitudes Toward Mental Illness in Dutch Youth and Family Center Physicians.

Professionals' limited knowledge on mental health and their stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness can delay the diagnosis of autism. We evaluated the knowledge on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and stigmatizing attitudes in 93 physicians at Dutch Youth and Family Centers (YFC). These physicians screen for psychiatric symptoms in children.

The sex-specific association between autistic traits and eating behavior in childhood: An exploratory study in the general population.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit problematic eating behaviors, an observation mostly based on male dominated, clinical ASD study samples. It is, however, important to evaluate both children with an ASD diagnosis and children with subclinical autistic traits as both often experience difficulties. Moreover, considering the suggestion of a possible girl-specific ASD phenotype, there is a need to determine whether autistic traits are related with problematic eating behaviors in girls as well.

Fetal size and eating behaviour in childhood: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Although studies showed that an adverse intrauterine environment increases the obesity risk in adulthood, little is known about consequences of fetal growth and birth size for eating behaviour. We examined whether fetal and birth size are associated with childhood eating behaviour.

Methods: Participants were 4350 mother-child dyads of the prospective cohort study Generation R.

Maternal and Early Childhood Determinants of Women's Body Size in Midlife: Overall Cohort and Sibling Analyses.

Observational evidence suggests that adult body size has its roots earlier in life, yet few life-course studies have data on siblings with which to control for family-level confounding. Using prospective data from the Early Determinants of Mammographic Density Study (n = 1,108; 1959-2008), we examined the association of maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI; weight (kg)/height (m)2), gestational weight gain (GWG), birth size, and childhood growth factors with adult BMI in daughters at midlife using quantile, linear, and logistic regression models. We compared overall cohort findings (n = 1,108) with sibling differences (n = 246 sibling sets).