Electroencephalogram abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorders.
Children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often are evaluated with electroencephalogram (EEG) studies to assess their risk for seizures or other underlying abnormalities. Their risk is estimated at 7% - 42%. EEG studies were conducted on a subgroup of children while following established practice parameters for evaluating children for ASD. Abnormal EEG results were obtained in 85 (27%) of the 316 children evaluatedfor ASD. Within the subset of abnormal results, 64 children had autism, 10 had an ASD or milder presentation, 6 had another developmental disorder, 3 had Rett syndrome, had Down syndrome, and 1 had Wolf-Hirshhorn syndrome. The abnormal EEG findings included epileptiform abnormalities in 55 patients (65%), and slowing in only 13 patients (15%). The focality of the epileptiformfindings included 26 (30%) in the temporal areas, 24 (28%) in the central area, 20 (23%) in the frontal area, and 7 (8%) in the occipital area. These findings confirm the importance of ongoing medicalfollow-up for children with ASDs, especially for those with abnormal EEG results.
The Kelly O'Leary Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, Division of Developmental Disorders at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039, USA. judy.reinhold@cchmc.org
Judy A
JA
Reinhold
Cynthia A
CA
Molloy
Patricia
P
Manning-Courtney
D000359:Aftercare; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D010808:Physical Examination; D017286:Polysomnography; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013686:Telemetry