The Alama Project Using Eye-Tracking to Study Autism in Young Kenyan Children Born to Mothers With HIV

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether eye-tracking measures can predict autism diagnoses in young children born to mothers with HIV in Kenya. The study focuses on children who were either exposed to HIV but uninfected CHEU or not exposed and uninfected CHUU, aiming to identify neurobehavioral markers linked to autism outcomes. This research builds on the Tabiri study, which compares neurodevelopmental outcomes between these two groups at 24 months of age. The study uses a non-invasive, remote eye-tracking system called Eyelink Portable Duo to collect data on eye movements and pupil diameter while children view pictures and videos. Children aged 24 to 72 months enrolled in the Tabiri study will participate in a one-time eye-tracking session lasting about 15 minutes, during which their eye activity is recorded without any equipment touching the child. The child will sit in a highchair or on a caregivers lap facing a computer screen where visual stimuli are shown. Participants will complete the standard developmental evaluation from the Tabiri study, followed by this eye-tracking activity. Researchers will measure how well the eye-tracking biomarker score agrees with autism diagnoses. The study involves caregivers who speak Kiswahili or English and includes children regardless of HIV status. The entire process is brief and designed to be child-friendly, with outcomes focused on improving early autism detection in this population.

The Alama Project: Autism Outcomes and Neurobehavioral Markers in Young Children Born to Mothers With HIV in Kenya