Developmental and mental health risks among siblings of patients with autism spectrum disorder: a nationwide study

AbstractStudies have suggested that unaffected siblings of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have some other neurodevelopmental abnormalities. However, the risks of mental and developmental disorders have rarely been investigated among unaffected siblings. Using Taiwan ’s National Health Insurance Research Database, 1304 unaffected siblings born between 1980 and 2010 with ASD probands and 13,040 age-/sex-/family structure-matched controls were included in our study and followed up from 1996 or birth to the end of 2011. Developmental delay, language delay, develo pmental coordination disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, unipolar disorder, and bipolar disorder were identified during the follow-up period. Unaffected siblings were more likely to develop any developmental delay, developmenta l speech or language disorder, developmental coordination disorder, intelligence disability, ADHD, anxiety disorders, unipolar depression, and disruptive behavior disorders compared with the control group. Brothers of patients with ASD had a higher risk of neurodevelopmental abnormalities, ADHD, anx iety disorders, and disruptive behavior disorders; sisters were prone to having neurodevelopmental abnormalities, ADHD, anxiety disorders, unipolar depression, and disruptive behavior disorders. Unaffected siblings of patients with ASD were prone to developing any developmental or mental disorder la ter in life. Cl...
Source: European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research