Perinatal Autism Genetics and Epigenetics Study

Recruiting now

Conditions studied: Autism Disorders and Maternal Stress, Development Delay, Prenatal Stress, Social Behavior

In brief

The University of Iowa's Center for Disabilities and Development is researching how pregnancy, early childhood experiences, and genetic factors influence child development, with a focus on autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Pregnant women are invited to participate in a study that tracks their pregnancy and child's early development, through simple, at-home activities using a cell phone. Participants complete short questionnaires, join an online interview, and videotape their baby's play after birth. They are also sent a kit to swab their baby's mouth to collect cheek cells for genetic testing. The study will explore whether stress and early social experience lead to genetic changes associated with autism or other developmental conditions.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07738003

Run by

University of Iowa

People needed

7200

Starts

2026-05-12

Expected to finish

2030-05-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-08-03

Who can join

Age: any, up to 50. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• A. Criteria for Pregnant Women:
• Pregnant women in their 1st or 2nd trimester of a singleton pregnancy.
• Age 18 to 50 years
• Currently use a smart phone
• B. ASD Group at age 18 to 27 months
• M-CHAT score >= 4 or POSI score >= 3
• Child has subsequently clinically confirmed diagnosis of ASD, based on ADOS/TAP testing and/or other clinical evaluation
• C. Developmental Delay (DD) Group at age 18 to 27-months
• Developmental screening score on SWYC in the "at risk" range.
• Child has subsequently clinically confirmed developmental delay on clinical evaluation and/or self-report measure
• D. Typically Developing (TD) Group at age 18 to 27 months - None

You may not qualify if…

• A. Criteria for Pregnant Women:
• Non-English speaking mother
• History of severe mental illness in the past year, resulting in inpatient admission
• B. All children
• <35 weeks gestational age at birth
• History of serious neonatal complications requiring NICU admission for one week or more
• Known genetic or syndromic condition (e.g. Down Syndrome, etc.) that impacts learning and brain development
• Hearing impairment
• C. ASD Group at age 18 to 27 months
• None
• D. Developmental Delay (DD) Group at age 18 to 27 months
• Screen positive for ASD (M-CHAT >= 4 AND POSI >= 3)
• First-degree relative who has been diagnosed with ASD
• E. Typically Developing (TD) Group at age 18 to 27 months
• Screen positive for ASD (M-CHAT >= 4 AND POSI >= 3)
• Developmental screening/assessment score in the "at risk" range.
• First-degree relative who has been diagnosed with ASD

Where it is running

• Center fro Disabilities and Development — Iowa City, Iowa, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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