Premature babies are vulnerable to health problems than babies who just months. Research shows that premature babies have a greater risk of suffering from autism when he grew up. Because the progress of medical science, life expectancy premature babies is higher. However, children born less month is often experience delayed growth and development. The smaller the smaller the gestational age and birth weight, the higher the risk of growth disturbance.

In a study of 219 children born before 26 weeks gestation, about 8 percent of children meet the criteria for autism spectrum disorder at age 11. Compare to 153 children who were born just months that everything was normal.

The experts said the number of autism in these studies included high compared to the whole population where experts estimate there are 1 case in 1,000 children with autism.

Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disorders that result in children experiencing a delay and deviation from normal behavior patterns in social relationships and interaction, language and communication, as well as activities and interests.

The condition of growth retardation are highly variable, from severe to mild (Asperger syndrome) in which the child has normal intelligence and good communication skills, but difficulty in socializing and not understand the forms of communication, such as body language or tone of voice.

The experts predict, yet mature central nervous system in premature infants contribute to the high risk of autism. Therefore, parents of premature babies are advised to be more truly monitor their children's growth. If parents find any symptoms of autism in children, are advised to immediately take him to the doctor to be sure.

READ MORE - Premature Babies More Suffering Autism Risk

Love hormone oxytocin prove useful or improve social functioning of persons with autism, reports a new research in France. Angela Sirigu and colleagues at the CNRS laboratory in Bron, France found oxytocin in the form of inhalation to people with autism spectrum participants showed good results. They tend to be more focused in giving attention to the eyes and human face - which is an important marker of social interaction.

This research was done by comparing the effects of oxytocin on 13 individuals aged 17-39 years - 10 of them with symptoms of autism spectrum and three others suffered from high-functioning autism (autism with high IQ level) - with 13 groups of population control. Both groups were ordered to play video games of football in which the group with autism receive oxytocin inhalers.

Research published online in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that inhalation of oxytocin on adults with Asperger's Syndrome or high IQ autism makes them tend to love to play with their partner a more socially responsive in the video games of football.

"(Research) We show that oxytocin can stimulate social approach and social understanding of the patients with autism," Sirigu said.

"Further studies are needed to determine whether long-term intake of oxytocin to improve the lives of their patients about this in their daily life," he added.

The hormone oxytocin is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland are stored in the rear. This hormone normally produced by many pregnant women before delivery and also released a man and a woman during intercourse. This hormone also proved related to the emotional ties and interpersonal relationships.

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Most of symptoms of  autism  has been  seen since the children aged under 3 years. In fact, some parents have already seen  signs  of autism  when they were infants aged 9 months. The following  signs of  autism  can be identified  as a baby  aged one year and above.

1. Does your child have an interest in other children? (Yes / No)
2. Does your child ever uses the index to show a sense of attraction to something? (Y / N)
3. Is your child's eyes you are more than one or two seconds? (Y / N)
4. Does your child imitate you? For example, if you make a certain expression, whether he imitate? (Y / N)
5. Does your child react when name called? (Y / N)
6. When you point to a toy / whatever on the side of the room, does your child look at the toy / object? (Y / N)
7. Does your child ever play "play" such as pretending to feed the doll, talking on the phone, and so forth? (Y / N)

Chance of bearing a child with autism, if at least two of above questions is answered No. Consult this to a specialist to get the right diagnosis.

Source: The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers

READ MORE - Signs of Autism

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Autism is a complex developmental disorder in children. Symptoms that appear are the disturbances in the areas of development: development of two-way interaction, the development of reciprocal interaction, and behavior development.

Until now, the certainty of autism has not been solved. In fact, the development of children with autism is now increasingly worried. In the United States, comparison of children with autism with normal 1:150, while in England 1:100. Indonesia does not have accurate data on it.

The scientists say autism due to a combination of various factors, including genetic factors triggered by environmental factors. Here are the factors that allegedly trigger autism is still mysterious.

1. Genetic
There is strong evidence of the changes in the gene contribute to the occurrence of autism. According to the National Institutes of Health, a family who has one child with autism has a 10-20 times greater chance to give birth to children with autism as well.

Research on twins found that if one child with autism, twin most likely have the same disorder. In general, the experts identified 20 genes that cause autism spectrum disorders. The gene plays an important role in brain development, brain growth, and how brain cells communicate.

2. Pesticide
High pesticide exposure is also associated with the occurrence of autism. Some research found that pesticides will disrupt the function of genes in the central nervous system. According to Dr. Alice Mao, professor of psychiatry, the chemicals in pesticides impact on those who have talent autism.

3. Drugs
Babies who are exposed to certain drugs while in the womb have a greater risk of autism. These drugs include valproic and thalidomide. Thalidomide is a drug older generation used to overcome the symptoms of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, anxiety, and insomnia.

Drug thalidomide itself has been banned in America because of the many reports of babies born with disabilities. However, these drugs are prescribed to address skin disorders and cancer therapy. Meanwhile, valproic acid is a drug used for patients with mood disorders and bipolar disorder.

4. Age parent
The older age of parents when a child, the higher the risk the child suffering from autism. The study, published in 2010 found that women aged 40 years had a 50 percent risk of having a child with autism compared with women aged 20-29 years.

"It is not known with certainty the relationship age of parents with autism. However, this is presumably because the occurrence of gene mutation factor," said Alycia Halladay, Director of Environmental Studies Research Autism Speaks.

5. Brain development
Certain areas in the brain, including cortex and cerebellum serebal responsible for the concentration, movement and mood regulation, related to autism. The imbalance of neurotransmitters, like dopamine and serotonin, the brain also associated with autism.

READ MORE - The cause of autism in children

Recent studies began to uncover the mystery of why autism is four times more often experienced by boys than girls. Research shows that hormones testosterone and estrogen have opposite effects on gene called RORA. In nerve cells, testosterone would reduce the ability of cells to turn on gene expression or RORA. Conversely, estrogen will increase the ability of the cell.

"Autism is highly influenced by gender. The study found high levels of testosterone in the fetus at high risk of causing a child with autism," said lead researcher Valerie Hu, an expert in biochemistry and molecular biology from George Washington University.

Normally, RORA tasks in the cell is turn on other genes. When cells have high testosterone levels, RORA levels will decrease, so that should affect every gene is turned on by RORA. This knowledge obtained from research on nerve cells grown in the laboratory.

The study did not indicate that a low level of RORA will cause autism in addition to the link between these conditions.

Several studies have shown deficiencies RORA can explain various aspects of that seen in children with autism. For example, the gene is supposed to protect nerve cells from the effects of stress and inflammation. Stress and inflammation commonly encountered in the brains of children with autism.

Research also shows that autistic child's brain tissue containing RORA less than healthy children. RORA is also believed to help the body's circadian rhythms. That is why children with autism often have sleep disorders.

In contrast to testosterone, estrogen will increase the level of RORA in the cell. "This means the female fetus will be protected from autism," said Hu.

Indeed RORA not a single gene involved in the occurrence of autism, but according to Hu RORA very important role.

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