Clinical, socio-demographic, and parental correlates of early autism traits

Importance Autism traits typically emerge between the ages of 1 and 2. It is not known if experiences which increase the likelihood of childhood autism are related to early trait emergence, or if other exposures are more important. Identifying factors linked to toddler autism traits may improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying atypical neurodevelopment.Objective To characterise the association between 18-month autism traits and clinical, socio-demographic, and parental factors.Design This is a cohort study of toddlers (n=536). Clinical, socio-demographic, and parental information was collected at birth (gestational age at birth, sex, maternal body mass index, age, parental education level, parental first language, parental history of neurodevelopmental disorders) and at 18 months (parent cohabiting status, two measures of social deprivation, three measures of maternal parenting style, and a measure of maternal postnatal depression). General neurodevelopment was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd Edition (BSID-III), and autism traits were assessed using the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT). Multivariable models were used to identify associations between variables and Q-CHAT. A model including BSID-III was used to identify factors associated with Q-CHAT independent of general neurodevelopment. Models were also evaluated addressing variable collinearity with principal component analysis (PCA).Setting Single centre (London, UK).Participants Sub-sample from the developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP).Results A multivariable model explained 20CHAT variance, with four individually significant variables (two measures of parenting style and two measures of socio-economic deprivation). After adding general neurodevelopment into the model 37CHAT variance was explained, with three individually significant variables (two measures of parenting style and one measure of language development). After addressing variable collinearity with PCA, experience of early life adversity was positively correlated with Q-CHAT score via a single principal component, independently of general neurodevelopment. Neither sex nor family history of autism were associated with Q-CHAT score.Conclusions and Relevance Our findings question whether potential autism diagnoses are being missed in more socially deprived groups, or if there are unidentified factors influencing the likelihood of transitioning from early traits at age 18 months to a clinical autism diagnosis in childhood.Question What factors influence autism trait emergence in toddlers?Findings In this cohort study of 536 toddlers we observed a positive association between exposure to early-life psycho-social adversity and autism traits at age 18 months. Associations were independent of general neurodevelopment. Factors known to increase the likelihood of a childhood autism diagnosis, such as sex, family history of autism or gestational age at birth, were not associated with autism traits at 18 months.Meaning Psycho-social adversity has a significant influence on early-life autism trait emergence.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.