Q&A with PCH – M. Florencia Ricci

Q&A with PCH features conversations with journal editors, authors, and more. In this session, we invited Dr. M. Florencia Ricci, the first author of the paper entitled Autism and immigration background, insights from a population-based study published in Paediatrics & Child Health. Watch the full video on our CPS YouTube page.

What was the gap in knowledge your study addressed?

Several international studies, both older and more recent, have shown an association between parental immigration and autism in children. While our team had previously studied this topic, these had not yet been examined using population-level data, especially in the Canadian context. In this study, we addressed that gap by linking the clinical registry from the Rehabilitation Centre for Children, which is Manitoba's primary publicly funded site for autism evaluation for children up to the age of six years, with provincial health administrative data and an official immigration registry. While the reasons behind this association remain unclear and require further investigation, results of our study showed a higher likelihood of autism among children of immigrant families in Manitoba, particularly when the mother or both the parents are immigrants and when the child is born in Canada.

How does your study contribute to paediatricians and healthcare providers across Canada?

This research is particularly relevant as the prevalence of autism has been found to be increasing over time. These may reflect improved identification, a broader diagnostic criterion, or potentially a true increase in cases. Understanding factors that contribute to vulnerability to autism is important for paediatricians and other health care providers who care for children across our country. This is especially meaningful in Canada, which is home to many immigrant families who contribute greatly to the growth and their diversity of our communities. Our findings highlight the importance of continued research to better understand the biological, environmental, and social factors that may contribute to this vulnerability and to support early identification and early intervention for children with autism.

About Dr. M. Florencia Ricci

Dr. M. Florencia Ricci is a developmental paediatrician with the Section of Child Development in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at University of Manitoba. Her clinical and research work focuses on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children born preterm and those with complex medical conditions, including congenital heart disease. She is a member of the CPS’s Early Years Committee and the National Autism Alliance and serves on the Steering Committee of the Canadian Neonatal Follow-Up Network. Through these roles, she contributes to the development of national initiatives and policies aimed at improving developmental outcomes for children and families across Canada.

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