Microbes can influence the connection between the gut and the brain . Gut microbe imbalances could predict a child ’ s risk for autism , ADHD and speech disorders years before symptoms appear
By Angelica P . Ahrens | Eric W . Triplett | Johnny Ludvigsson
Early screening for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism is important to ensure children have the support they need to gain the essential skills for daily life . The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children be screened for developmental delays , with additional screening for those who are preterm or have a low birth weight .
However , the U . S . Preventive Services Task Force has called for more research into the effectiveness of current autism screening practices . Primarily based on milestone checklists and symptoms , autism diagnoses also currently rely on observations of behavior that often manifests after crucial developmental stages have passed .
Researchers and clinicians are working to develop simple , reliable tools that could identify early signs or risk factors of a condition before symptoms are obvious . While early screening can lead to the risk of overdiagnosis , understanding a child ’ s developmental needs can help guide families toward resources that address those needs sooner .
We are researchers who study the role the microbiome plays in a variety of conditions , such as mental illness , autoimmunity , obesity , preterm birth and others . In our recently published research on Swedish children , we found that microbes and the metabolites they produce in the guts of infants – both found in poop and cord blood – could help screen for a child ’ s risk of neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism . And these differences can be detected as early as birth or within the first year of life . These markers were evident , on average , over a decade before the children were diagnosed .
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