Autism risk after being born early (preterm)
Official title: Autism in Preterm Birth
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11190851 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether being born before 37 weeks changes how often and why autism happens in children born in Sweden and Finland between 1996 and 2020.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $513,548 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD113669-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11190851 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children born before 37 weeks gestation (preterm) in Sweden or Finland between 1996 and 2020 and their families would be the group this research focuses on.
✕Less likely to help
People not born in Sweden or Finland during 1996–2020 or those without linkable health records are unlikely to be included and would not directly benefit from participation in this project.
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, researchers will follow a large group of children born in Sweden and Finland from 1996–2020 using national birth and health records to compare those born preterm to those born at term. They will link information like gestational age, birth measures (for example Apgar scores), maternal and fetal health, and diagnosed autism to look for risk patterns. The team will also compare genetic patterns between preterm and term children to see if inherited risks differ by when a child was born. Finally, they will use statistical methods to estimate how much of autism risk in preterm children is due to specific factors versus confounding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify preventable or treatable risk factors and guide earlier monitoring and support for children born preterm who are at higher autism risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have reported higher autism rates after preterm birth, but this large population-based comparison of genetic architecture and specific risk factors is a newer and more comprehensive approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sandin, Sven — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Sandin, Sven
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Autism Risk in Babies Born Earliest (Preterm Birth)
This project looks at whether being born early (before 37 weeks) changes how autism develops in children, especially compared with babies born on time.
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Investigating the link between preterm birth and autism risk
This study is looking at how being born early might affect the chances of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder, and it's for families with children born preterm in Sweden and Finland between 1996 and 2020, to help understand the different factors that could play a role in this.
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Screening and treatment of Chlamydia infection in pregnancy to help prevent preterm birth
This grant studies whether screening pregnant people for Chlamydia trachomatis and treating those who are positive can reduce the risk of preterm birth.
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Xylitol to Prevent Periodontal Disease and Preterm Birth in Pregnancy and Early Childhood
A safe, inexpensive chewable gum approach using xylitol is tested to help pregnant people reduce gum disease and lower the chance of preterm birth and related child health problems.
-
Screening and treatment for Chlamydia infection to help prevent preterm birth
A study in pregnant people will test whether screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and treating it during pregnancy can reduce the risk of babies being born too early.
-
IL-9 Signaling and Immune-Driven Preterm Birth
This NIH grant supports training a physician-scientist to lead a new lab studying how immune signals, especially IL-9, affect preterm birth.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.