Developmental and environmental differences in the first year of life of infants with family history of autism and/or ADHD in Brazil

Authors:
  • TMThayna Dayane Pereira Barbosa Mendes
    Thayna Dayane Pereira Barbosa Mendes
  • NSNádia P Slwczuk
    Nádia P Slwczuk
  • CACarolina C Abati
    Carolina C Abati
  • CACaroline Andrade
    Caroline Andrade
  • KMKaren D Moreira
    Karen D Moreira
  • LSLuaê Hr Santos
    Luaê Hr Santos
  • VQVitoria Quinteiro
    Vitoria Quinteiro
  • BMBeatriz Y Minagawa
    Beatriz Y Minagawa
  • KFKaren Fernandes
    Karen Fernandes
  • BCBeatriz Ps Costa
    Beatriz Ps Costa
  • JBJosé Federico R Barbosa
    José Federico R Barbosa
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Abstract
Prospective longitudinal studies have established that infants with family history (FH) of autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are likely to experience a range of differences in their early development. However, the vast majority of evidence concerning the early development of these infants has come from high-income-country (HIC) contexts and has not considered the role of psychosocial environmental factors. In this study, we investigated developmental and environmental differences in a large cohort (N=252) of infants aged 6-12 months (mean=8.7 months) with FH of autism (n=36), ADHD (n=66), autism and ADHD (n=84) or without FH (n=66) in a low-and-middle-income-country (LMIC) setting, Brazil. Infants with FH of autism showed significantly lower adaptive communication, motor and daily living skills as well as lower temperamental perceptual sensitivity and vocal reactivity than infants without FH of autism (F>4.18, p9.23, p7.91, p<0.005). Our findings suggest distinct profiles of developmental differences associated with FH of autism versus FH of ADHD and shared environmental vulnerabilities in the home. This work highlights the importance of providing support for infants with FH of autism and ADHD and their families in Brazil.