Letter to the EditorFull Access
Early Detection in Autism
Published Online:5 Jul 2002https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.37.13.0039d
This is in response to the article on autism in the June 7 issue. Some readers may be interested in the following development.
There is evidence suggesting that some cases of autism may be related to malformation of the brain stem. This can occur as early as 20 to 24 days after conception, before a woman may know she is pregnant. It is also possible that in some cases this abnormality may be detected at birth by electrophysiological means. It may not be necessary to wait about three years to confirm the presence of autism.
The benefit of early detection would mean that help to ameliorate the condition could be started much earlier than now, to the benefit of child and family.
