• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.95-105
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• 2022

Purpose : This study aims to systematically review the methods of occupational therapy intervention in children with autism spectrum disorders having sleep disorders and evaluate the improvements with intervention effects, based on experimental studies of children with sleep disorders. Methods : Studies published overseas from January 2011 to June 2021 were searched from a total of two databases. Science Direct and OTseeker. The five selected studies were analyzed by dividing them into age, number, intervention period, intervention type, intervention effect, evaluation tool, research design type, and evidence level. Results : The total number of subjects was 182, 95 subjects in ther experimental group, and 87 in the control group. The interventions included weighted blankets, swimming, and sleep education for parents. Ther interventions were found to increase total sleep time, improve mood when waking up, reduce sleep anxiety, reduce sleep time, reduce the number of waking up of during sleep, and reduce sleep resistance behavior. Conclusion : Many people have sleep disorders, with or without disabilities, and the number is gradually increasing. Consequently, research on occupational therapy intervention in children with autism spectrum disorder are actively conducted in foreign countries, and these interventions have a positive effect. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that such occupational therapy intervention studies are necessary for children with autism spectrum disorder with sleep disorders in Korea. In addition, further research on the quality of life of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders due to sleep disorders and their methods are required.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.286-292
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• 2021

Background: The effect of exposure to environmental factors on autism spectrum disorders (ASD), especially during pregnancy, is unclear. Purpose: This meta-analysis investigated the association between exposure to pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) during pregnancy and ASD risk among children. Methods: We searched Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and ProQuest for articles published through September 2019. Random-effects models were used to examine the association among studies using pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). I2 tests were used to measure interstudy heterogeneity. Results: The pooled OR indicated a significant association between PCB and pesticide exposure during pregnancy and ASD risk among children (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.26-2.34; and OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02-1.39), respectively. Conclusion: Findings of the present study indicate that exposure to pesticides and PCBs during pregnancy may affect the risk of ASD among children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.11
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• pp.405-409
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• 2019

A structured review study of drug interventions on sleep disorders in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has not been published to date. This systematic review aimed to investigate drug interventions for the treatment of sleep disorders in children with ASD. The Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched until March 2019. Study quality was assessed using the Delphi checklist. Due to the heterogeneity of the findings, a meta-analysis was not possible. Drug interventions for the treatment of sleep disorders in patients with ASD included melatonin, atomoxetine, and risperidone. Atomoxetine had no effect on sleep disorders in patients with ASD. A total of 10 studies were reviewed. Melatonin appears to be useful for the treatment of sleep problems in patients with ASD, but further studies are needed to determine the effects of other drugs.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.221-230
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine validity of the Korean-Child Behavior Checklist: K-CBCL) as measures for emotional and behavioral problems for use with children with autism spectrum disorders. In present study, the factor of the K-CBCL was investigated, using data of 248 children with autism spectrum disorders, with 11.17 mean ages. The two factor model of Internalizing problems (Withdrawn, Somatic Complaints, Anxious/Depressed) and Externalizing problems (Delinquent Behavior, Aggressive Behavior) was investigated by the confirmatory factor analysis. The two factor model of K-CBCL was adequate for children with autism spectrum disorders. The inter-item consistency for the sub-factor of K-CBCL demonstrated on adequate reliability of the measure. Although the inter-item consistency of Withdraw, Social problems, Delinquent Behavior was not acceptable, the inter-item consistency of Internalizing, Externalizing and total problems were good. This results supported validity and reliability and suggested that K-CBCL is used to assess for emotional and behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorders.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.10
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• pp.538-542
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• 2021

Background: The relationship between small for gestational age (SGA) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) remains unknown. Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the relationship between SGA and the risk of ASD. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from inception to November 2020. The heterogeneity across studies was explored using the I² statistic. The possibility of publication bias was assessed using Begg test. The results were reported using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random-effects model. Results: The literature search yielded 824 articles with 8,752,138 participants. We assessed the association between SGA and the risk of ASD in cohort and case-control studies. Based on the random-effects model, compared with SGA, the estimated OR of the risk of ASD was 1.17 (95% CI, 1.09-1.24). Therefore, there was a significant association between SGA and the risk of ASD. Conclusion: Based on OR reports in epidemiological studies, we showed that SGA is a risk factor for and can increase the risk of ASD. The association between SGA and ASD risk has further relevance to the current public health emphasis on appropriate prepregnancy weight and pregnancy weight gain.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.369-378
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• 2012

Analysis of synaptic plasticity together with behavioral and molecular studies have become a popular approach to model autism spectrum disorders in order to gain insight into the pathosphysiological mechanisms and to find therapeutic targets. Abnormalities of specific types of synaptic plasticity have been revealed in numerous genetically modified mice that have molecular construct validity to human autism spectrum disorders. Constrained by the feasibility of technique, the common regions analyzed in most studies are hippocampus and visual cortex. The relevance of the synaptic defects in these regions to the behavioral abnormalities of autistic like behaviors is still a subject of debate. Because the exact regions or circuits responsible for the core features of autistic behaviors in humans are still poorly understood, investigation using region-specific conditional mutant mice may help to provide the insight into the neuroanatomical basis of autism in the future.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2020

Autism spectrum disorder is a common neurodevelopmental disorder with an unknown etiology. The correlation between neonatal jaundice and the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder was investigated previously. Some studies showed significant associations, whereas others demonstrated no association. In this meta-analysis, we pooled the results of observational studies to examine the association between neonatal jaundice and the risk of autism spectrum disorder among children. We identified all studies published through April 2018 by conducting a literature search using Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases as well as the reference lists of the retrieved studies. The pooled odds ratios (ORs), rate ratio (RR), and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated as random effect estimates of association among studies. We conducted a subgroup analysis to explore any potential sources of intergroup heterogeneity. The pooled estimates of OR and RR showed a considerable correlation between neonatal jaundice and ASD among children (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.02-1.68) and (RR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.05-1.74). A larger effect size was shown in the pooled estimated crude OR than in the adjusted OR (1.75 [0.96-2.54] vs. 1.19 [1.07-1.30]). This study showed that neonatal jaundice may be associated with ASD and may increase the risk of ASD among children.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.30-42
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• 2019

Objective : The purpose of this study is to analyze non-medication interventions for self-injurious behavior of individuals with autism spectrum disorders, using a systematic review, and to provide evidence of appropriate services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders with self-injury behaviors in the clinical practice of occupational therapy. Methods : Using the electronic databases PubMed, Medline (ProQuest), DBpia, RISS, KISS, and NDSL, we searched for articles published in Korean and international journals from December 2004 to November 2018. The main search term were "Autism OR Autism Spectrum Disorder AND Therapy OR Treatment Or Intervention AND Self Injurious Behavior." Qualitative analysis was performed, and the results are presented in the PICO format. Results : A total of 12 articles were selected. The quality of the evidence was highest in level IV and level V. Single studies with an experimental design were the most common. Behavior therapy was the most common type of intervention. The next most common interventions were behavioral therapy, brain stimulation and control, and sensory integration therapy with behavioral therapy. The self-injury behaviors of individuals autism spectrum disorders were decreased, and was statistically significant. Conclusion : This study investigated the use of non-medication interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders who showed self-injury behavior. Future research should use higher-level designs, and investigate differences between various non-medication interventions.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.126-130
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• 2019

Purpose: In this meta-analysis, relevant case-control and cohort studies were pooled to evaluate the association between preeclampsia and the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children. Methods: A search for relevant studies in major databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, was performed up to May 2018. The odds ratios (ORs) or rate ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted from eligible studies to determine the association among studies. Results: The pooled estimates of ORs and RRs indicated a significant association between preeclampsia and ASD [(OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.12-1.60) and (RR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.20-1.41)]. Conclusions: Despite existing controversy, our findings indicated that preeclampsia was associated with an increased risk of ASD among children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.9
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• pp.368-372
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• 2020

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by impairments in social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication. Purpose: Determine the association between use of assisted reproduction technology (ART) and the risk of ASD among children. Methods: This case-control study included 300 participants (100 cases, 200 controls). The control group included women with a child aged 2-10 years without ASD, while the cases were women with a child aged 2-10 years with ASD. We used a researcher-made questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Stata ver. 14 at the 0.05 significance level. Results: In the univariate analysis, there was significant association between child sex, delivery mode, history of preterm delivery, history of using ART, and maternal age at child's birth and the risk of ASD. After the adjustment for other variables, this association was significant for male sex (2.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-4.31; P=0.001) and history of using ART (4.03; 95% CI, 1.76-9.21; P=0.001). Therefore, after the adjustment for confounder variables, there was no significant association between ART and the risk of ASD among children (4.98; 95% CI, 0.91-27.30; P=0.065). Conclusion: After the adjustment for other variables, risk factors for ASD were male sex and history preterm delivery. Thus, there was no significant association between ART and the risk of ASD among children.