Reuters (2/17, Rapaport) reports that after conducting an extensive review of studies on autism screening, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a statement published Feb. 16 in the Journal of the American Medical Association saying there is insufficient evidence to recommend universal screening of autism in very young children.
TIME (2/16, Park) reports that the USPSTF’s statement “adds to growing contention among experts about which babies should be screened for autism, with the” task force’s “recommendations disagreeing with those from other prominent medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics.”
Kaiser Health News (2/16, Luthra) points out that the USPSTF’s recommendations “apply to children between the ages of 18 months and 30 months who haven’t exhibited any signs of the disorder.” Nevertheless, some medical “professionals worry the position could result in pediatricians missing opportunities for early intervention and could exacerbate disparities in treating autism.”
Related Links:
— “Doctors unsure if early childhood autism screening makes sense,” Lisa Rapaport, Reuters, February 16, 2016.