Note: This study is currently only recruiting patients in the hospital.

If you are interested in being notified if this study begins recruiting from the general population, please use the 'I Am Interested' button below.

National Autism Study with Babies

Do you have a young child diagnosed with autism? Do you also have an infant under 6 months of age or are currently pregnant?

Massachusetts General Hospital Autism Spectrum Disorder
8 visits over 3 years
Estimated Time Commitment
Any Sex/Gender, up to 6 months old
May Be Eligible
No compensation
May Be Offered
Blood draw, Personal health tracking, Survey, Biosample (e.g., saliva, urine, or stool)
May Be Required
 
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Enrollment for this study is expected to close on Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Who can participate

Healthy neonates or infants who:



  • are first-degree relatives of ASD individuals (have at least one sibling affected by ASD)

  • are younger than 6 months/26 weeks at study entry

  • have never received solid food (elementary formula feeding is permitted)

Who cannot participate

Neonates or infants who



  • do not have a first-degree relative with an ASD

  • are older than 6 months/26 weeks

  • have been introduced to solid food

  • have significant health issues that require specific surgical or continuous medical treatments

  • have severe, life-threatening GI problems requiring immediate treatment

  • are severely underweight/malnourished

  • require tube feeding

  • have had dietary restrictions in the past 3 months

  • have been introduced to drugs since birth that may affect the biomarkers being assessed (e.g. antibiotics used as a continuous course for ≥28 days prior to enrollment)

What you may be asked to do

The study involves periodic surveys about diet, antibiotic use, and development. Beginning at 12 months of age, study staff administers semi-annual ASD assessments. The study also involves the collection of saliva, urine, stool, and blood samples over a three year period (approx. every 6 months until 36 months of age). 


Project activities may include:

  • Blood draw
  • Personal health tracking
  • Survey
  • Biosample (e.g., saliva, urine, or stool)

Estimated Time Commitment

8 visits over 3 years

What You May Get

No compensation

Location


Travel

  • No travel required

Travel and Parking Details

Additional Information

Project Website

https://www.massgeneral.org/children/research/genome-environment-microbiome-metabolome-in-autism-study


Participating Institutions


Funding Source

  • Foundation
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