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Research

Developmental vitamin D deficiency increases foetal exposure to testosterone

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which are more common in males. The 'prenatal sex steroid' hypothesis links excessive sex-steroid exposure during foetal life with the behavioural differences observed in ASD. However, the reason why sex steroid exposure may be excessive remains unclear. Epidemiological studies have identified several environmental risk factors associated with ASD, including developmental vitamin D (DVD) deficiency.

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Prevalence of Motor Difficulties in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Analysis of a Population-Based Cohort

In this population-based cohort that included 2,084 children with autism aged ≤6 years, over one-third met the criteria for motor difficulties

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Sleep problems and anxiety from 2 to 8 years and the influence of autistic traits: a longitudinal study

Anxiety and sleep problems may be an early indicator of autism in young children and early autistic traits may also contribute to anxiety problems later in childhood

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Atypical nested 22q11.2 duplications are associated with neurodevelopmental phenotypes including autism spectrum disorder with incomplete penetrance

Our findings contribute to the genotype–phenotype data for atypical nested 22q11.2 duplications, with implications for genetic counseling

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Maternal pre-pregnancy weight and autistic-like traits among offspring in the general population

This study provides further evidence that maternal pre-pregnancy obesity is associated with autism-like behaviors in offspring

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Characterizing the interplay between autism spectrum disorder and comorbid medical conditions: An integrative review

We review medical conditions that have been repeatedly highlighted as sharing the strongest associations with ASD-epilepsy, sleep, as well as gastrointestinal and immune functioning

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Risk of Developmental Disorders in Children of Immigrant Mothers: A Population-Based Data Linkage Evaluation

Increased risk of autism spectrum disorder with intellectual disability and cerebral palsy with intellectual disability for mothers of some foreign-born groups

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No relationship between autistic traits and salivary testosterone concentrations in men from the general population

The current data add to the increasing evidence for the lack of relationship between autistic traits and postnatal levels of testosterone in men

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A national guideline for the assessment and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders in Australia

The Guideline aims to create greater consistency in diagnostic practices across the country to ensure individuals on the autism spectrum can receive the optimal care

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Eye Gaze in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of Neural Evidence for the Eye Avoidance Hypothesis

Reduced eye contact early in life may play a role in the developmental pathways that culminate in a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. However, there are contradictory theories regarding the neural mechanisms involved. According to the amygdala theory of autism, reduced eye contact results from a hypoactive amygdala that fails to flag eyes as salient. However, the eye avoidance hypothesis proposes the opposite-that amygdala hyperactivity causes eye avoidance. This review evaluated studies that measured the relationship between eye gaze and activity in the 'social brain' when viewing facial stimuli.