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Translational Psychiatry Feb 2023Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in addition to the core features of the disease, experience a higher burden of co-occurring medical conditions. This...
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in addition to the core features of the disease, experience a higher burden of co-occurring medical conditions. This study sought to describe the frequency and distribution of comorbidit conditions in individuals with ASD, and systematically evaluate the possibility that pre- and postnatal exposures (e.g., preterm birth, hypoxia at birth, traumatic brain injury, and fetal alcohol syndrome) associated with ASD may also be linked with distinct comorbidities. We used the SPARK study database, launched by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI). Comorbidities considered in the study included neurological, cognitive, psychiatric, and physical conditions. The study sample consisted of 42,569 individuals with ASD and their 11,389 non-ASD siblings (full and half siblings). Majority (74%) of individuals with ASD had at least one comorbidity, and had a greater average number of comorbidities than their non-ASD siblings. Preterm birth and hypoxia at birth were the most common peri-natal exposures in the sample. In logistic regression models adjusted for covariates, these exposures were associated with several distinct comorbidities in ASD cases, including attention and behavior problems, psychiatric and neurological disorders, and growth conditions. A similar pattern of association was also observed in non-ASD siblings. Our findings underscore that individuals with ASD experience a greater burden of comorbidities, which could be partly attributable to the higher rates of perinatal exposures compared to their non-ASD siblings. Study findings, if replicated in other samples, can inform the etiology of comorbidity in ASD.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Premature Birth; Comorbidity; Autistic Disorder; Siblings
PubMed: 36841830
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02374-w -
Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi Apr 2019Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genoty-ping in combination with identity by state (IBS) strategy in full sibling...
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genoty-ping in combination with identity by state (IBS) strategy in full sibling testing. Methods Thirty-five blood samples were collected from a four-generation family. Ninety autosomal SNPs were genotyped using Precision ID Identity Panel. The distribution of IBS scores for full siblings and other relationships were calculated and compared. The relationships were determined using Fisher discriminant function and threshold method, respectively. Results Based on family members and previous research, 44, 30, 111, 71 and 1 000 pairs of full siblings (FS), grandparent-grandchild (GG), uncle/aunt-nephew/niece (UN), first cousins (FC) and unrelated individuals (UI) were obtained, respectively. The average IBS scores were 148, 130, 132, 124 and 120, respectively. Except for the GG and UN pairs, the distribution differences among the other relationships had statistical significance (<0.05). The false rates of Fisher discriminant function to determine relationships were 1.3%, 22.3%, 17.0% and 38.7% for FS, GG, UN and FC, respectively. Based on the simulation data, the thresholds =128 and =141 were recommended to determine full sibling relationships (the false rate ≤0.05%). Conclusion The 90 SNP genetic markers included in the Precision ID Identity Panel meet the testing requirements for full sibling relationships. The threshold method based on IBS has a relatively lower false rate and is more flexible.
Topics: Genotype; Genotyping Techniques; Humans; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Siblings
PubMed: 31135116
DOI: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2019.02.014 -
BMC Medicine Sep 2023Full-cohort and sibling-comparison designs have yielded inconsistent results about the impacts of caesarean delivery on offspring health outcomes, with the effect... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Full-cohort and sibling-comparison designs have yielded inconsistent results about the impacts of caesarean delivery on offspring health outcomes, with the effect estimates from the latter being more likely directed towards the null value. We hypothesized that the seemingly conservative results obtained from the sibling-comparison design might be attributed to inadequate adjustment for non-shared confounders between siblings, particularly maternal age at delivery.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis was first conducted. PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science were searched from database inception to April 6, 2022. Included studies (1) examined the association of caesarean delivery, whether elective or emergency, with offspring health outcomes; (2) simultaneously conducted full-cohort and sibling-comparison analyses; and (3) reported adjusted effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). No language restrictions were applied. Data were extracted by 2 reviewers independently. Three-level meta-analytic models were used to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs for caesarean versus vaginal delivery on multiple offspring health outcomes separately for full-cohort and sibling-comparison designs. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the method of adjustment for maternal age at delivery. A simulation study was then conducted. The simulated datasets were generated with some key parameters derived from the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Eighteen studies involving 21,854,828 individuals were included. The outcomes assessed included mental and behavioral disorders; endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases; asthma; cardiorespiratory fitness; and multiple sclerosis. The overall pooled OR for estimates from the full-cohort design was 1.14 (95% CI: 1.11 to 1.17), higher than that for estimates from the sibling-comparison design (OR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.14). Stratified analyses showed that estimates from the sibling-comparison design varied considerably across studies using different methods to adjust for maternal age at delivery in multivariate analyses, while those from the full-cohort design were rather stable: in studies that did not adjust maternal age at delivery, the pooled OR of full-cohort vs. sibling-comparison design was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.99 to 1.22) vs. 1.06 (95% CI: 0.85 to 1.31), in studies adjusting it as a categorical variable, 1.15 (95% CI: 1.11 to 1.19) vs. 1.07 (95% CI: 1.00 to 1.15), and in studies adjusting it as a continuous variable, 1.12 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.19) vs. 1.12 (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.29). The severe underestimation bias related to the inadequate adjustment of maternal age at delivery in sibling-comparison analyses was fully replicated in the simulation study.
CONCLUSIONS
Sibling-comparison analyses may underestimate the association of caesarean delivery with multiple offspring health outcomes due to inadequate adjustment of non-shared confounders, such as maternal age at delivery. Thus, we should be cautious when interpreting the seemingly conservative results of sibling-comparison analyses in delivery-related studies.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Siblings; Cesarean Section; Delivery, Obstetric; Asthma; Outcome Assessment, Health Care
PubMed: 37679672
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03030-2 -
Child Maltreatment Nov 2022U.S. foster care policy prioritizes keeping siblings together while in foster care. However, prior research on the effects of sibling placement is limited in sample,...
U.S. foster care policy prioritizes keeping siblings together while in foster care. However, prior research on the effects of sibling placement is limited in sample, measures, and research design. In this study, we use data on 2,297 children from an urban county in years 2015-2019 and assess how sibling separation is associated with placement instability. We use multilevel parametric hazard modeling with adjustments for child, sibling, and placement characteristics. Findings indicate that children placed with at least one sibling are less likely to experience a placement move and are specifically less likely to experience a non-progress move (e.g., moves due to problems or negative experiences in their foster home). For larger sibling groups, sibling separation was not consistently associated with placement instability and there was little difference in placement instability for children placed with some versus all siblings. Results were robust to differences in measurement and model specification. Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity was also associated with increased risk of instability, and associations between sibling separation and instability were stronger for Black children, implying enhanced efforts to maintain sibling groups may be especially beneficial for Black children. Overall, findings provide support for the continuation and expansion of policies promoting sibling placement.
Topics: Child; Family; Foster Home Care; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Siblings
PubMed: 33910412
DOI: 10.1177/10775595211012482 -
Pediatric Obesity Jul 2022To examine if sibling absence is associated with higher BMI and to identify potential lifestyle factors underlying this effect; to determine if sibling effects on BMI...
OBJECTIVES
To examine if sibling absence is associated with higher BMI and to identify potential lifestyle factors underlying this effect; to determine if sibling effects on BMI persist into adulthood.
METHODS
We used data from all five waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to study the sibling factors and BMI of 3,563 participants who were in grades 7-12 at first wave (1994-95). These participants were measured again in the second wave (1996), the third wave (2001-2002), the fourth wave (2008-2009), and most recently, the fifth wave (2016-2018). We identified categories of siblings, comparing the BMI of those without siblings either to birth order or sibship size. BMI was calculated based on direct measurements of height and weight; underlying mechanisms were self-reported.
RESULTS
Participants without siblings had significantly higher BMI than those with siblings, across waves, regardless of sibship size. Those without siblings had consistently higher BMI than middle-born, but not last-born participants. Adolescents without siblings reported eating fast food more frequently and spending more screen time.
CONCLUSIONS
Sibling absence is associated with higher BMI in adolescence and this difference persists into adulthood.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Body Height; Body Mass Index; Humans; Life Style; Longitudinal Studies; Siblings
PubMed: 35146941
DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12899 -
BMJ Open May 2021The number and rank order of siblings could be of importance for risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Previous studies have used only fatal events for risk...
BACKGROUND
The number and rank order of siblings could be of importance for risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Previous studies have used only fatal events for risk prediction. We, therefore, aimed to use also non-fatal coronary and cardiovascular events in fully adjusted models.
METHODS
From the Multiple-Generation Register in Sweden, data were used from 1.36 million men and 1.32 million women (born 1932-1960), aged 30-58 years at baseline and with follow-up from 1990 to 2015. Mean age at follow-up was 67 years (range 55-83 years). Fatal and non-fatal events were retrieved from national registers.
RESULTS
Compared with men with no siblings, those with 1-2 siblings had a lower, and those with four or more siblings had a higher adjusted risk of cardiovascular events. Again, compared with men with no siblings, those with more than one sibling had a lower total mortality risk, and those with three or more siblings had an increased risk of coronary events.Correspondingly, compared with women with no siblings those women with three siblings or more had an increased risk of cardiovascular events, and those with two siblings or more had an increased risk of coronary events. Women with one sibling or more were at lower total mortality risk, following full adjustment.
CONCLUSION
Being first born is associated with a favourable effect on non-fatal cardiovascular and coronary events for both men and women. The underlying biological mechanisms for this should be studied in a sociocultural context.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cohort Studies; Female; Heart; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Siblings; Sweden
PubMed: 34035122
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042881 -
The Journals of Gerontology. Series B,... Aug 2022Sibling loss is understudied in the bereavement and health literature. The present study considers whether experiencing the death of siblings in mid-to-late life is...
OBJECTIVES
Sibling loss is understudied in the bereavement and health literature. The present study considers whether experiencing the death of siblings in mid-to-late life is associated with subsequent dementia risk and how differential exposure to sibling losses by race/ethnicity may contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in dementia risk.
METHODS
We use discrete-time hazard regression models, a formal mediation test, and a counterfactual simulation to reveal how sibling loss in mid-to-late life affects dementia incidence and whether unequal exposures by race/ethnicity mediate the racial/ethnic disparities in dementia. We analyze data from the Health and Retirement Study (2000-2016). The sample includes 13,589 respondents (10,670 non-Hispanic White, 1,761 non-Hispanic Black, and 1,158 Hispanic adults) aged 65 years and older in 2000 who show no evidence of dementia at baseline.
RESULTS
Discrete-time hazard regression results show that sibling loss in mid-to-late life is associated with up to 54% higher risk for dementia. Sibling loss contributes to Black-White disparities in dementia risk. In addition, a simulation analysis shows that dementia rates would be 14% lower for Black adults if they experienced the lower rates of sibling loss experienced by White adults. This pattern was not observed among Hispanic adults.
DISCUSSION
The death of a sibling in mid-to-late life is a stressor that is associated with increased dementia risk. Black adults are disadvantaged in that they are more likely than Whites to experience the death of siblings, and such losses contribute to the already substantial racial/ethnic disadvantage in dementia.
Topics: Black People; Dementia; Ethnicity; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Siblings; United States
PubMed: 34687537
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbab202 -
The Journal of School Health May 2020The presence of health problems in a child is known to be negatively associated with later academic achievement, but less is known about the educational outcomes for...
BACKGROUND
The presence of health problems in a child is known to be negatively associated with later academic achievement, but less is known about the educational outcomes for siblings of children in poor health. The study investigated how having a sibling with health problems affects a healthy sibling's academic achievement.
METHODS
We utilized medical and social microdata from Swedish administrative population registers. Our sample consisted of N = 115,106 individuals (51.3% boys) born in 1990 in Sweden. We compared children with ill siblings to children whose siblings did not have poor health. Siblings' hospital admissions and the academic achievements of the healthy sibling during their final year of compulsory education (at the age of 15-16) were analyzed using linear and logistic regression in relation to individual health- and family-related confounders.
RESULTS
Sibling hospitalization was significantly associated with lower overall grade points (β = -10.73, p < .001) and an increased odds ratio (OR) of ineligibility for upper secondary education (OR = 1.42, 95% confidence interval = 1.31-1.52, p < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
School and health personnel should also consider the needs of healthy siblings during their work with children in poor health, because they too can be disadvantaged.
Topics: Academic Success; Adolescent; Family; Female; Health Status; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Registries; Siblings; Sweden
PubMed: 32105351
DOI: 10.1111/josh.12887 -
Annals of Family Medicine Sep 2016A young woman in my care had 4 siblings diagnosed with mental illness. The story describes how, along normative family-cycle situations, she struggles to define and keep...
A young woman in my care had 4 siblings diagnosed with mental illness. The story describes how, along normative family-cycle situations, she struggles to define and keep her sanity. I reflect on the shared anxiety of both the doctor and the patient of her losing her mind. As a family physician practicing in a small rural community, I believe that psychiatric, social, and family issues are also family medicine concerns.
Topics: Anxiety; Attitude of Health Personnel; Family Health; Female; Humans; Mental Disorders; Physician-Patient Relations; Physicians, Family; Rural Population; Siblings; Social Support
PubMed: 27621166
DOI: 10.1370/afm.1968 -
Scientific Reports Aug 2020We test 26 polygenic predictors using tens of thousands of genetic siblings from the UK Biobank (UKB), for whom we have SNP genotypes, health status, and phenotype...
We test 26 polygenic predictors using tens of thousands of genetic siblings from the UK Biobank (UKB), for whom we have SNP genotypes, health status, and phenotype information in late adulthood. Siblings have typically experienced similar environments during childhood, and exhibit negligible population stratification relative to each other. Therefore, the ability to predict differences in disease risk or complex trait values between siblings is a strong test of genomic prediction in humans. We compare validation results obtained using non-sibling subjects to those obtained among siblings and find that typically most of the predictive power persists in between-sibling designs. In the case of disease risk we test the extent to which higher polygenic risk score (PRS) identifies the affected sibling, and also compute Relative Risk Reduction as a function of risk score threshold. For quantitative traits we examine between-sibling differences in trait values as a function of predicted differences, and compare to performance in non-sibling pairs. Example results: Given 1 sibling with normal-range PRS score (< 84 percentile, < + 1 SD) and 1 sibling with high PRS score (top few percentiles, i.e. > + 2 SD), the predictors identify the affected sibling about 70-90% of the time across a variety of disease conditions, including Breast Cancer, Heart Attack, Diabetes, etc. 55-65% of the time the higher PRS sibling is the case. For quantitative traits such as height, the predictor correctly identifies the taller sibling roughly 80 percent of the time when the (male) height difference is 2 inches or more.
Topics: Biological Specimen Banks; Computational Biology; Disease; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Male; Phenotype; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Siblings
PubMed: 32764582
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69927-7