Sep 23, 2009 5:05 pm US/Eastern
Health: Studying Autism
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
It's in a lab at Drexel University where researchers are analyzing chemicals in the blood, urine, and hair of pregnant women. What makes these pregnant women different is they already have a child diagnosed with autism, which means the next child is at higher risk for the disorder.
"It's of utmost importance that we figure out what's causing it so we can work to prevent it in the future," said Dr. Craig Newschaffer, who is leading the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation, also known as the EARLI Study, at Drexel University School of Public Health. The comprehensive study follows women who are less than 20 weeks pregnant through their pregnancy, and the child's first three years of life, trying to identify possible genetic or environmental causes or a combination of both.
"We visit their home and can measure things in their home all in real time while the baby is developing. When the baby is born we visit the hospital and collect samples during delivery," said Dr. Newschaffer. Throughout the study women are also asked many questions about their medical history, diet, and lifestyle.
"They're doing it because they're very committed to helping science come up with answers about what causes autism," said Dr. Newschaffer.
After birth, researchers see the baby every six months to track its development.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments