[Syndromic autism: I. General aspects].
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of autism is based on the identification of certain behavioural criteria, but there is no biological test that allows us to diagnose the disorder. Yet, a considerable number of cases of autism, estimated to be somewhere between 11 and 37%, are linked to specific syndromes that can be identified according to their clinical characteristics, or by means of some biological marker. These cases are known as syndromic autism or 'double syndromes'. There is a relation between autism and certain genetic and metabolic diseases, epilepsy, infections of the nervous system, intrauterine exposure to certain substances and perinatal pathologies.


CONCLUSIONS
The aim of this review is to guide the professional in the diagnosis of autistic children in order to rationalise the process by ruling out any underlying disease or syndrome related to the autistic condition. At the same time, we stress aetiological aspects of these syndromes, which make it easier to understand the biological bases of autism.
Artigas-Pallarés
J
J
Hospital de Sabadell. Corporacio Sanitaria Parc Tauli, 08208 Sabadell, Espana. 7280jap@comb.es
Gabau-Vila
E
E
Guitart-Feliubadaló
M
M
D001321:Autistic Disorder