Placental gross shape differences in a high autism risk cohort and the general population

PLoS One. 2018 Aug 22;13(8):e0191276. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191276. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

A growing body of evidence suggests that prenatal environment is important in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) etiology. In this study, we compare placental shape features in younger siblings of children with ASD, who themselves are at high ASD risk, to a sample of low risk peers. Digital photographs of the fetal placenta surface and of the sliced placental disk from 129 high ASD risk newborns and from 267 newborns in the National Children's Study Vanguard pilot were analysed to extract comparable measures of placental chorionic surface shape, umbilical cord displacement and disk thickness. Placental thickness measures were moderately higher in siblings of ASD cases. The placentas of ASD-case siblings were also rounder and more regular in perimeter than general population placentas. After stratification by sex, these across-group differences persisted for both sexes but were more pronounced in females. No significant differences were observed in cord insertion measures. Variations in placental shape features are generally considered to reflect flexibility in placental growth in response to changes in intrauterine environment as the placenta establishes and matures. Reduced placental shape variability observed in high ASD risk siblings compared to low-risk controls may indicate restricted ability to compensate for intrauterine changes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / pathology*
  • Autistic Disorder / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Organ Size
  • Photography
  • Placenta / abnormalities
  • Placenta / pathology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Factors
  • Siblings
  • Umbilical Cord / abnormalities
  • Umbilical Cord / pathology

Grants and funding

This work was supported in part by NICHD Contracts HHSN275200503414C, HHSN275200503411C, HHSN275200603416C, HHSN275200503415C, HHSN275200503413C, HHSN275200503410C, and HHSN275200503396C NIH- NCS LOI 2-BIO-18. The funder provided support in obtaining placental morphology measures but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. Dr. Carolyn Salafia was employed by Placental Analytics, LLC. The funder provided support in the form of salaries to Dr. Carolyn Salafia, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.