New research has found that baby’s teeth can offer a strong hint that the baby might have autism. New York researchers found that the way baby’s teeth grow can unveil if children suffer from the disorder.
- Study authors focused on how babies’ bodies metabolize metals.
- They analyzed the teeth of 200 babies from Sweden.
- The team found that the levels of zinc and copper in baby’s teeth were different in babies with autism.
Researchers used the data to create a computer model that can predict autism in children by just looking at their teeth with a 90% accuracy.
A research paper about the findings appeared in the journal Science Advances.
Autism is a serious developmental disorder that can impact patients’ social skills, like social interaction and communication.
1 in 59 Kids Affected by the Condition
The signs of autism start to be obvious after the child turns 2 or 3 years of age. In some cases, 18-month-olds were diagnosed with the disorder. In the U.S., one in 59 kids has the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC).
Currently, the only diagnostic tools are observations and parents’ reports. Researchers cannot diagnose the condition since birth through these tools.
Lead author Dr. Andrew Adesman said that the baby has to shed the teeth before a diagnosis. Not all health experts are qualified to determine if the child has the disorder. The study results could help further research into the prenatal markers of the developmental disorder.
Children that might have autism do not respond by their name by age 1, cannot point at things that they are interested in by 14 months, avoid eye contact, and have delayed language skills.
They are also very keen on routine and get easily upset by changes. They show obsessive interests and can be highly sensitive to how things smell, feel, sound, taste, or look.
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