Possible Link: ASD and Dificult Pregnancy/Birth?

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PLEASE READ BEFORE ANSWERING THE POLL.

I was premature (3 weeks to a month eary), diagnosed with FTT (Failure to Thrive), jaundice, and supposedly, my mother went through a lot of stress during the first trimester (death in the family). I also had Chicken Pox before i was even old enough to scratch. Please note, this is just to see if there is some possible link, be it genetic, environmentally triggered, both, or neither. This is meant more for curiosity than saying, "YES, THIS IS THE ANSWER."

My idea is as follows: If we assume (big IF) that ASD is related to a gene, im guessing that gene's job is to ensure a stable brain at birth. If something goes wrong, say not enough Oxygen or other dificulties, and the brain is in danger, this gene starts to bypass some areas of the brain until survival is ensured. This could account for our "different wiring." That being said, I would think that a lot of people have this gene, but it doesnt always activate this "bypass" because it has no need to. I also ask that you find out before answering because it would be fascinating to see what kind of info pops up. Also, feel free to suggest another option if you think i missed something. Id like this to be accurate, but still interesting. Thank you for participating.

A twin dead in utero, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (yes, I got very lucky, they didn't have microsurgery for it back then)... born breech, a little early... yeah, somewhat difficult. But I was born healthy and on the lower end of normal weight, with only congenital hip dysplasia to worry about (easily fixed with a brace which my mother tells me I hated, but which worked quite well).

Birth and pregnancy went off without a hitch.

Although, a traumatic birth could explain NVLD (which is caused by damage to the right hemisphere of the brain).

three weeks late, or so said my mother, who was always resentful about it.

We would need a control population of NTs to tell whether there was anything special about this... just a high number of people saying "yes" means nothing if there aren't significantly fewer NTs giving that answer.

Traumatic birth for me. I was born on time (supposedly I was gonna be like 10 lbs.) . Instead I was five lbs., born blue, not breathing, having seizures, on a respirator 48 hrs. & resuscitated twice. Got lucky brain damage was none unless you count the affects of my autism. Turns out I twisted by umbilical cord in utero 24-48 hrs. b4 birth (why I was so tiny) & unwound it. They found a tiny hole in the cord. Basically, the amount of time I went w/o oxygen in the womb & once outside the womb is unknown. But obviously, it was a sort period of time b/c otherwise I would be dead. I also had other issues as a baby ( thyroid issue, retinal atrophy, needed tons of blood tests, etc.) Was on seizure meds for 1st 2 mos. Have been seizure free since! Supposedly (read my post on petit mal seizures b/c at this point I'm unsure about the total lack of seizures).

p.s. NEVER leave doctor(s) alone w/ your baby/kid while they do a blood test! Found out 1st time they took me away from my mother for a blood test, turns out they used an adult tourniquet, couldn't get blood out (they poked me constantly to point every time I got blood tests my mom told them to just do a heel stick/never listened ) & my arm turned black for awhile. My mom was pissed! Good news that & other traumatic injuries (how I lost 1st tooth & such) healed on their own. Bad news, permanent fear of having needles stuck in me (though I can look at them if their not going in me), anything to do with eyes, & paranoia about losing my teeth.

Last edited by Peko on 18 Sep 2009, 5:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I think you are on to something. I started a thread like this a couple of months ago because I think there is a link between birth trauma and ASD. I am aspie and was a breech birth, my aspie son (adopted) was born with the cord around hs neck, a friend's child was very premature, with breathing difficulties and is now autistic.

Ah, well, thats what i get for starting a poll late and night and tired from work ><. However, I dont know the ratio of children born with complications that turn out perfectly fine. Would you happen to know a site that would have some info like that? That being said, I would like to revise the poll at a later time. But at the same time, i dont know of many NTs on the site, save some parents. Also, i know the sample would be relatively small and biased (depending on how many actually answer). Also, it would be a guess, but an NT that had complications, it wasnt probably as severe or didn't limit the amount of oxygen to the brain. That aside, thanks for the insight and I will look into modifying that for another poll in the future.

I have neve rhear dof a genetic link between pregnancy/birth complications and ASD, but there is certainly a link between these. Premature birth is a major risk factor for ASD, especially if there are complications like a brain bleed. However, trauma from having been int he NICU can also change the brain. I was myself born 3 month prematurely and had a brain bleed that caused hydrocephalus ("water-on-the-brain").

Traumatic birth. Forceps finally had to be used. Head badly misshaped with large pointed bump on the back for about six months afterwards from trying to pass through very narrow and uncooperative birth canal. Should have been cesarean birth, but doctor not a specialist. When death for both of us seemed imminent, specialist from another hospital called in. Thank God. Very healthy otherwise though, and thrived excellently thereafter.

Traumatic birth, born on time. I was born blue and large baby at 9lbs and 13 oz. Breech birth and with out oxygen for around a 1 1/2 minutes. No brain damage. I do think their is a link between birth trauma and ASD.

Yes, there is a link between birth trauma and many problems with the brain. The question i was aiming for is that given this information, why would the autism spectrum be more adaptable than say someone who had the same issue at birth, but became severely handicapped (to the point of not being able to "function" without assistance). This made me wonder as to whether or not the Spectrum is an evolutionary answer to keep this level of damage to a minimum.

I was born just fine, no problems, but still on the spectrum.

Son was born jaundice, premature (1 1/2 months) and only weighed 4.2 lbs, was breech (also HFA).

My daughter, however, was breech, premature, and only weighed 5.1 lbs-she is NT so far.

Preterm labor at 34 weeks with bedrest from them on. My son was born at 36 weeks after 11 hours, meconium aspirated and had difficulty breathing at birth. Following that he became a huge chunk with no significant problems. He was just diagnosed AS at the age of 9.

The birth of my son (who has AS) was very traumatic. He was induced at 41 weeks for low fluid. 18 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing and he still wouldn't come out. The doc used the vacuum and and his head was crowning for a while (sorry for the visual), but his heart rate kept decelerating and he wouldn't budge so they did an emergency c-section. It turns out that the cord was wrapped around his neck twice and was essentially tethering him in. Soon after birth, he was doing great, except for feeding problems, and he was able to come home on time.

As a sidenote, he had very frequent hiccups when he was in utero, and I knew that the cord was wrapped around his neck. I told the doc and she said that it may be true, but that there was nothing that they could do about it. Perhaps an earlier c-section might have prevented some of his oxygen losses and heart decels. I feel very fortunate just to even have him today.

I was born healthy, but I was 4 weeks premature and sideways so my mom had to have a c-section.