Parental Reports on Early Autism Behaviors in Their Children with Fragile X Syndrome as a Function of Infant Feeding

This study evaluates the prevalence of autistic behaviors in fragile X syndrome as a function of infant diet. Retrospective survey data from the Fragile X Syndrome Nutrition Study, which included data on infant feeding and caregiver-reported developmental milestones for 190 children with fragile X syndrome enrolled in the Fragile X Online Registry with Accessible Database (FORWARD), were analyzed. Exploratory, sex-specific associations were found linking the use of soy-based infant formula with worse autistic behaviors related to language in females and self-injurious behavior in males. These findings prompt prospective evaluation of the effects of soy-based infant formula on disease comorbidities in fragile X syndrome, a rare disorder for which newborn screening could be implemented if there was an intervention. Gastrointestinal problems were the most common reason cited for switching to soy-based infant formula. Thus, these findings also support the study of early gastrointestinal problems in fragile X syndrome, which may underly the development and severity of disease comorbidities. In conjunction with comorbidity data from the previous analyses of the Fragile X Syndrome Nutrition Study, the findings indicate that premutation fragile X mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed.

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Soy-Based Infant Formula is Associated with an Increased Prevalence of Comorbidities in Fragile X Syndrome

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12103136 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 3136

Author(s):

Cara J. Westmark ◽

Chad Kniss ◽

Emmanuel Sampene ◽

Angel Wang ◽

Amie Milunovich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fragile X Syndrome ◽

Infant Formula ◽

Fragile X ◽

Survey Study ◽

Research Database ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Gastrointestinal Problems ◽

Study Population ◽

Adults And Children ◽

Control Survey

A large number of adults and children consume soy in various forms, but little information is available regarding potential neurological side effects. Prior work indicates an association between the consumption of soy-based diets and seizure prevalence in mouse models of neurological disease and in children with autism. Herein, we sought to evaluate potential associations between the consumption of soy-based formula during infancy and disease comorbidities in persons with fragile X syndrome (FXS), while controlling for potentially confounding issues, through a retrospective case-control survey study of participants with FXS enrolled in the Fragile X Online Registry with Accessible Research Database (FORWARD). There was a 25% usage rate of soy-based infant formula in the study population. We found significant associations between the consumption of soy-based infant formula and the comorbidity of autism, gastrointestinal problems (GI) and allergies. Specifically, there was a 1.5-fold higher prevalence of autism, 1.9-fold GI problems and 1.7-fold allergies in participants reporting the use of soy-based infant formula. The major reason for starting soy-based infant formula was GI problems. The average age of seizure and allergy onset occurred long after the use of soy-based infant formula. We conclude that early-life feeding with soy-based infant formula is associated with the development of several disease comorbidities in FXS.

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Parental reports on early language and motor milestones in fragile X syndrome with and without autism spectrum disorders

Developmental Neurorehabilitation ◽

10.3109/17518423.2012.704414 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 58-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Rebecca Hinton ◽

Dejan B. Budimirovic ◽

Peter B. Marschik ◽

Victor B. Talisa ◽

Christa Einspieler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Fragile X Syndrome ◽

Fragile X ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Early Language ◽

Parental Reports ◽

Spectrum Disorders

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Do Children With Fragile X Syndrome Show Declines or Plateaus in Adaptive Behavior?

American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ◽

10.1352/1944-7558-120.5.412 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 120 (5) ◽

pp. 412-432 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Laura J. Hahn ◽

Nancy C. Brady ◽

Steven F. Warren ◽

Kandace K. Fleming

Keyword(s):

Fragile X Syndrome ◽

Adaptive Behavior ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Fragile X ◽

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales ◽

Autistic Behavior ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Autistic Behaviors ◽

Vineland Adaptive Behavior

Abstract This study explores if children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) show advances, declines, or plateaus in adaptive behavior over time and the relationship of nonverbal cognitive abilities and autistic behavior on these trajectories. Parents of 55 children with FXS completed the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Sparrow, Balla, & Cicchetti, 1984; Sparrow, Cicchetti, & Balla, 2005) between 3 and 6 times from 2 to 10 years of age. Using raw scores, results indicate that about half of the sample showed advances in adaptive behavior, whereas the other half showed declines, indicating a regression in skills. Children who were more cognitively advanced and had less autistic behaviors had higher trajectories. Understanding the developmental course of adaptive behavior in FXS has implications for educational planning and intervention, especially for those children showing declines.

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Developmental Trajectories of Young Girls With Fragile X Syndrome

American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ◽

10.1352/1944-7558-114.3.161 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (3) ◽

pp. 161-171 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Deborah D. Hatton ◽

Anne Wheeler ◽

John Sideris ◽

Kelly Sullivan ◽

Alison Reichardt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fragile X Syndrome ◽

Fragile X ◽

Developmental Trajectories ◽

Developmental Outcomes ◽

Small Sample ◽

Considerable Variability ◽

Full Mutation ◽

Autistic Behavior ◽

Young Girls ◽

Autistic Behaviors

Abstract To describe the early phenotype of girls with full mutation fragile X, we used 54 observations of 15 girls between the ages of 6 months and 9 years to examine developmental trajectories as measured by the Battelle Development Inventory. In this sample, autistic behavior was associated with poorer developmental outcomes, primarily due to interactions of age with autistic behavior, even though autistic behavior, measured continuously, was relatively mild. Although this small sample, ascertained primarily through male relatives with fragile X syndrome, limits generalizability, considerable variability in developmental outcome in young girls was documented. In addition, findings support previous research suggesting that even mild autistic behaviors in girls can be associated with developmental outcomes.

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Memory Skills of Boys With Fragile X Syndrome

American Journal on Mental Retardation ◽

10.1352/2008.113:453-465 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 113 (6) ◽

pp. 453-465 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Peter A. Ornstein ◽

Jennifer M. Schaaf ◽

Stephen R. Hooper ◽

Deborah D. Hatton ◽

Penny Mirrett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Free Recall ◽

Fragile X Syndrome ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Fragile X ◽

Memory Deficits ◽

Typically Developing ◽

Incidental Memory ◽

Autistic Behaviors ◽

Preliminary Support

Abstract Multiple aspects of memory were examined in 42 boys with fragile X syndrome and a comparison group of 42 typically developing boys matched on MA. Working memory, incidental memory, and deliberate memory were assessed with a battery that included both free-recall and recognition tasks. Findings indicated that boys with fragile X syndrome performed more poorly than their matches on most measures. The exception was free recall, in which their accuracy was equal to that of the control participants. Results from analyses of a subset of boys with fragile X syndrome who exhibit characteristics of autism and their MA matches, though preliminary, support the conclusion that memory deficits are especially marked in boys who have fragile X syndrome and evidence autistic behaviors.

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