Familial Recurrence of Autism: Updates From the Baby Siblings Research Consortium

Sally Ozonoff; Gregory S. Young; Jessica Bradshaw; Tony Charman; Katarzyna Chawarska; Jana M. Iverson; Cheryl Klaiman; Rebecca J. Landa; Nicole McDonald; Daniel Messinger; Rebecca J. Schmidt; Carol L. Wilkinson; Lonnie Zwaigenbaum

doi:10.1542/peds.2023-065297

Familial Recurrence of Autism: Updates From the Baby Siblings Research Consortium

Sally Ozonoff^*, Gregory S. Young, Jessica Bradshaw, Tony Charman, Katarzyna Chawarska, Jana M. Iverson, Cheryl Klaiman, Rebecca J. Landa, Nicole McDonald, Daniel Messinger, Rebecca J. Schmidt, Carol L. Wilkinson, Lonnie Zwaigenbaum

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is estimated to be ~10 times higher in children with versus without an autistic sibling in population-based studies. Prospective studies of infant siblings have revealed even higher familial recurrence rates. In the current prospective longitudinal study, we provide updated estimates of familial ASD recurrence using a multinational database of infants with older autistic siblings. METHODS: Data were collated across 18 sites of the Baby Siblings Research Consortium, an international network studying the earliest manifestations of ASD. A total of 1605 infants with an older autistic sibling were followed from early in life to 3 years, when they were classified as ASD or non-ASD. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling, with site as a random effect, was used to examine predictors of recurrence in families and calculate likelihood ratios. RESULTS: A total of 20.2% of siblings developed ASD, which is not significantly higher than the previously reported rate of 18.7%. Male infant sex and >1 older affected sibling were significant predictors of familial recurrence. Proband sex also influenced recurrence rates, with siblings of female probands significantly more likely to develop ASD than siblings of male probands. Race and maternal education were also associated with recurrence in families. CONCLUSIONS: The familial recurrence rate of ASD, as measured in infant sibling studies, has not changed appreciably since previous estimates were made in 2011. Younger siblings of autistic children, particularly those who are male, have an affected female sibling, multiple affected siblings, or are impacted by social inequities, should be closely monitored and promptly referred for diagnostic evaluation.

Original language	English
Article number	e2023065297
Journal	Pediatrics
Volume	154
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2023-065297
Publication status	Published - 1 Aug 2024

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10.1542/peds.2023-065297

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@article{4814cf001dfe42fabce66ad473405230,

title = "Familial Recurrence of Autism: Updates From the Baby Siblings Research Consortium",

abstract = "OBJECTIVES: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is estimated to be ~10 times higher in children with versus without an autistic sibling in population-based studies. Prospective studies of infant siblings have revealed even higher familial recurrence rates. In the current prospective longitudinal study, we provide updated estimates of familial ASD recurrence using a multinational database of infants with older autistic siblings. METHODS: Data were collated across 18 sites of the Baby Siblings Research Consortium, an international network studying the earliest manifestations of ASD. A total of 1605 infants with an older autistic sibling were followed from early in life to 3 years, when they were classified as ASD or non-ASD. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling, with site as a random effect, was used to examine predictors of recurrence in families and calculate likelihood ratios. RESULTS: A total of 20.2% of siblings developed ASD, which is not significantly higher than the previously reported rate of 18.7%. Male infant sex and >1 older affected sibling were significant predictors of familial recurrence. Proband sex also influenced recurrence rates, with siblings of female probands significantly more likely to develop ASD than siblings of male probands. Race and maternal education were also associated with recurrence in families. CONCLUSIONS: The familial recurrence rate of ASD, as measured in infant sibling studies, has not changed appreciably since previous estimates were made in 2011. Younger siblings of autistic children, particularly those who are male, have an affected female sibling, multiple affected siblings, or are impacted by social inequities, should be closely monitored and promptly referred for diagnostic evaluation.",

author = "Sally Ozonoff and Young, {Gregory S.} and Jessica Bradshaw and Tony Charman and Katarzyna Chawarska and Iverson, {Jana M.} and Cheryl Klaiman and Landa, {Rebecca J.} and Nicole McDonald and Daniel Messinger and Schmidt, {Rebecca J.} and Wilkinson, {Carol L.} and Lonnie Zwaigenbaum",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.",

year = "2024",

month = aug,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1542/peds.2023-065297",

language = "English",

volume = "154",

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T1 - Familial Recurrence of Autism

T2 - Updates From the Baby Siblings Research Consortium

AU - Ozonoff, Sally

AU - Young, Gregory S.

AU - Bradshaw, Jessica

AU - Charman, Tony

AU - Chawarska, Katarzyna

AU - Iverson, Jana M.

AU - Klaiman, Cheryl

AU - Landa, Rebecca J.

AU - McDonald, Nicole

AU - Messinger, Daniel

AU - Schmidt, Rebecca J.

AU - Wilkinson, Carol L.

AU - Zwaigenbaum, Lonnie

PY - 2024/8/1

Y1 - 2024/8/1

N2 - OBJECTIVES: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is estimated to be ~10 times higher in children with versus without an autistic sibling in population-based studies. Prospective studies of infant siblings have revealed even higher familial recurrence rates. In the current prospective longitudinal study, we provide updated estimates of familial ASD recurrence using a multinational database of infants with older autistic siblings. METHODS: Data were collated across 18 sites of the Baby Siblings Research Consortium, an international network studying the earliest manifestations of ASD. A total of 1605 infants with an older autistic sibling were followed from early in life to 3 years, when they were classified as ASD or non-ASD. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling, with site as a random effect, was used to examine predictors of recurrence in families and calculate likelihood ratios. RESULTS: A total of 20.2% of siblings developed ASD, which is not significantly higher than the previously reported rate of 18.7%. Male infant sex and >1 older affected sibling were significant predictors of familial recurrence. Proband sex also influenced recurrence rates, with siblings of female probands significantly more likely to develop ASD than siblings of male probands. Race and maternal education were also associated with recurrence in families. CONCLUSIONS: The familial recurrence rate of ASD, as measured in infant sibling studies, has not changed appreciably since previous estimates were made in 2011. Younger siblings of autistic children, particularly those who are male, have an affected female sibling, multiple affected siblings, or are impacted by social inequities, should be closely monitored and promptly referred for diagnostic evaluation.

AB - OBJECTIVES: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is estimated to be ~10 times higher in children with versus without an autistic sibling in population-based studies. Prospective studies of infant siblings have revealed even higher familial recurrence rates. In the current prospective longitudinal study, we provide updated estimates of familial ASD recurrence using a multinational database of infants with older autistic siblings. METHODS: Data were collated across 18 sites of the Baby Siblings Research Consortium, an international network studying the earliest manifestations of ASD. A total of 1605 infants with an older autistic sibling were followed from early in life to 3 years, when they were classified as ASD or non-ASD. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling, with site as a random effect, was used to examine predictors of recurrence in families and calculate likelihood ratios. RESULTS: A total of 20.2% of siblings developed ASD, which is not significantly higher than the previously reported rate of 18.7%. Male infant sex and >1 older affected sibling were significant predictors of familial recurrence. Proband sex also influenced recurrence rates, with siblings of female probands significantly more likely to develop ASD than siblings of male probands. Race and maternal education were also associated with recurrence in families. CONCLUSIONS: The familial recurrence rate of ASD, as measured in infant sibling studies, has not changed appreciably since previous estimates were made in 2011. Younger siblings of autistic children, particularly those who are male, have an affected female sibling, multiple affected siblings, or are impacted by social inequities, should be closely monitored and promptly referred for diagnostic evaluation.

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JO - Pediatrics

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ER -

Familial Recurrence of Autism: Updates From the Baby Siblings Research Consortium

Abstract

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