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Molecular Autism
Published in: Molecular Autism 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research

Foetal testosterone and autistic traits in 18 to 24-month-old children

Authors: Bonnie Auyeung, Kevin Taylor, Gerald Hackett, Simon Baron-Cohen

Published in: Molecular Autism | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Autism spectrum conditions have been characterised as an extreme presentation of certain male-typical psychological traits. In addition, several studies have established a link between prenatal exposure to testosterone and cognitive sex differences in later life, and one study found that foetal testosterone (FT) is positively correlated to autistic traits in 6 to 10 year-old children. In this study, we tested whether FT is positively correlated with autistic traits in toddlers aged 18-24 months.

Methods

Levels of FT were analysed in amniotic fluid and compared with autistic traits, measured using the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT) in 129 typically developing toddlers aged between 18 and 24 months (mean ± SD 19.25 ± 1.52 months).

Results

Sex differences were observed in Q-CHAT scores, with boys scoring significantly higher (indicating more autistic traits) than girls. In addition, we confirmed a significant positive relationship between FT levels and autistic traits.

Conclusions

The current findings in children between 18 and 24 months of age are consistent with observations in older children showing a positive association between elevated FT levels and autistic traits. Given that sex steroid-related gene variations are associated with autistic traits in adults, this new finding suggests that the brain basis of autistic traits may reflect individual differences in prenatal androgens and androgen-related genes. The consistency of findings in early childhood, later childhood and adulthood suggests that this is a robust association.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Foetal testosterone and autistic traits in 18 to 24-month-old children
Authors
Bonnie Auyeung
Kevin Taylor
Gerald Hackett
Simon Baron-Cohen
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Molecular Autism / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 2040-2392
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/2040-2392-1-11

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