Can Preeclampsia Derail Neural Development?

In utero exposure to preeclampsia, a highly prevalent condition among mothers with schizophrenia, raised risk for autism spectrum disorder, and placental insufficiency increased risk for developmental delay.

Recent findings such as abnormal brain RNA transcripts (N Engl J Med 2014; 370:1209) and placental trophoblast inclusions (Biol Psychiatry 2013; 74:204) support the hypothesis that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has prenatal origins, which led to this investigation of preeclampsia as a possible prenatal risk factor. This population-based, case-control study involved children aged 2 to 5 years who underwent comprehensive diagnostic procedures. Preeclampsia was ascertained from obstetric records or telephone interviews of mothers of 517 children with ASD, 194 with developmental delay (DD), and 350 with typical development (TD).

After adjustment for other factors also associated with excess risk for ASD or DD (e.g., maternal age extremes, obesi…

Reviewing Author

Barbara Geller, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Barbara Geller, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Can Preeclampsia Derail Neural Development?

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Reviewing Author