According to a new study, published in the journal Autism Research, having an ultrasound during the first trimester is linked to increased severity of autism in children born with the disorder. Data from ultrasound during the second and third trimester showed no link.

1st Trimester Ultrasound Linked To Autism

The study was conducted at the University of Washington’s Medicine school, UW Bothell, and the Seattle Children’s Research Institute and used data from 2,644 families among 12 research sites in the US. Researchers studied the variability of symptoms among children with autism and found that the greatest link was among children with certain genetic variations associated with autism.

Lead author, Sara Webb, wondered:

“Where does this disorder develop from? How do kids get autism? And the second question is why are kids with autism so different from each other? This study really looks at the second question. Within kids with autism, what are some of the factors that may result in a child having a good outcome or higher IQ or better language or less severity versus a child who maybe takes more of a hit and continues to struggle throughout their lifespan?”

Webb’s team looked at three aspects that are often displayed by autistic kids: a genetic vulnerability, an outside stressor (like an ultrasound), and an outside stressor that impinges on a child at a certain time. They understand more study is needed and now plan to study the links between ultrasound and autism severity, much more closely.

Source: RT