JAMA Pediatr

Early screen time may be linked to higher autism risk

November 6, 2024

Weekly screen time is associated with an increased risk of autism, according to this cohort study. Authors call for interventions to address underlying socioeconomic factors, providing resources to reduce adverse health impacts of screen time.

To explore the link between screen time at age 2 and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at age 12, researchers analyzed data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Screen time was measured as the weekly hours spent watching TV, videos, or other internet-based programs. The study used multivariable logistic regression and instrumental variable methods to adjust for confounders such as sex, family income, and maternal education.

Key findings: In the sample of 5,107 children, bivariate analysis showed a significant positive association between screen time and ASD diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.83; 95% CI, 1.26-2.59; P = .001). Screen time was also significantly associated with male sex, lower maternal education, and lower family income (AORs 1.31, 1.54, and 1.49, respectively). Race, ethnicity, and other perinatal factors weren't found to be linked to screen time and were excluded from the models.

Source:

Lin PI, et al. (2024, November 4). JAMA Pediatr. Screen Time Before 2 Years of Age and Risk of Autism at 12 Years of Age. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39495508/