Feasibility of Large-Scale Development-Focused EEG Research in a Hospital-Based Primary Care Setting.

Researchers successfully tested whether they could collect brain wave (EEG) data from babies during regular doctor visits to help with early autism detection. They studied 250 babies from diverse families, mostly low-income, at 4, 9, and 12 months old. Most families (94%) stayed in the study, and brain wave data was collected successfully from 87% of babies. This shows it's possible to do this type of research during routine checkups without major disruption.

This feasibility study examined the implementation of longitudinal EEG data collection in a hospital-based primary care clinic serving predominantly low-income families. The Baby Steps study recruited 250 infants for EEG and survey data collection at 4-, 9-, and 12-month well-child visits. The study achieved high retention rates (94% through 12 months) and successful EEG data collection (87% at 2+ time points) while serving a diverse population (53% Hispanic/Latina/e, 36% Black, 64% publicly insured). Survey completion rates ranged from 65-78% across time points.

No sociodemographic factors significantly predicted survey completion. The findings demonstrate that embedding EEG research into routine primary care is feasible and can effectively include underserved populations, potentially supporting early autism detection research.

Demonstrates that EEG-based autism research can be successfully integrated into primary care settings serving diverse populations. This approach may facilitate development of early autism screening tools that are accessible to underserved communities, potentially reducing diagnostic disparities.

This is a feasibility study focused on data collection metrics rather than clinical outcomes. The abstract does not report actual EEG findings or autism detection accuracy. Long-term follow-up and diagnostic validation are not addressed.

The age of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder varies by sociodemographic factors, elevating the need for earlier, unbiased screening and diagnostic measures. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a promising biomarker for early autism detection, but feasibility and validation in primary care settings and in underserved populations remain underexplored. This study evaluates the feasibility of embedding longitudinal EEG and survey data collection into the primary care setting to address these care differences. Baby Steps is a longitudinal study being conducted in a hospital-based urban primary care clinic serving predominantly low-income families.

Infants were recruited prior to their 4-month well-child visits, with EEG and parent surveys collected at 4-, 9-, and 12-month visits. Data collection was integrated into the clinic workflow to minimize disruption. Feasibility was assessed based on the first 250 participants enrolled through metrics of recruitment, retention, and data quality, with bivariate analyses examining predictors of retention. To reach 250 enrolled participants, 856 eligible families were approached for recruitment.

Enrollment reflected clinic demographics (53% Hispanic/Latina/e, 36% Black), and 64% were publicly insured. Around 94% of participants were retained through 12 months. EEG data were collected at 2 or more time points for 87% of participants. Full survey completion ranged from 65% to 78% at each time point.

No sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with completion of surveys. Embedding EEG research in primary care is feasible and facilitates the inclusion of underserved populations. This approach enhances research applicability and may serve as a model for similar efforts in pediatric research.