title: A descriptive hospital based study of children with autism.
abstract: The clinical and neurodevelopmental profile of 51 children with Autistic disorder, from a referral population was studied. A detailed history and examination was undertaken. The development/intelligence quotient and social quotient were assessed. Standard diagnostic tests were applied in children above 2 years of age. Younger children were evaluated with a screening test and re-evaluated at 2 years. It was observed that a correct diagnosis had been made in only 5.8% of children prior to referral. The mean age of presentation was 3.28 years. Ninety-six percent of the autistic children had developmental delay. Qualitative impairment in social interaction and communication was more commonly observed than restricted interests and activities. Forty-seven (92.15%) children were severely autistic and 4 (7.84%) mildly to moderately autistic. All children less than 2 years were confirmed to have Autistic disorder later.
authors.affiliation: Child Development and Early Intervention Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi 110 002, India. drmonicajuneja@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Juneja
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male