title: Medical conditions affect the outcome of early intervention in preschool children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: The aim was to explore the frequency of genetic and other medical conditions, including epilepsy, in a population-based group of 208 preschool children with early diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to relate outcome at a 2-year follow-up to the co-existing medical findings. They had all received early intervention. The Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS-II) composite score served as the primary outcome measure. In the total group, 38/208 children (18 %) had a significant medical or genetic condition. Epilepsy was present in 6.3 % at the first assessment and in 8.6 % at follow-up and was associated with more severe intellectual impairment. A history of regression was reported in 22 %. Children with any medical/genetic condition, including epilepsy, as well as children with a history of regression had significantly lower VABS-II scores at the 2-year follow-up. Children with a medical/genetic condition, including epilepsy, had been diagnosed with ASD at an earlier age than those without such conditions, and early age at diagnosis also correlated negatively with adaptive functioning outcome. The results underscore the importance of considering medical/genetic aspects in all young children with ASD and the requirement to individualize and tailor interventions according to their specific needs.
authors: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. mats.a.eriksson@ki.se
authors: Mats Anders
authors: MA
authors: Eriksson
authors: Joakim
authors: J
authors: Westerlund
authors: Åsa
authors: Å
authors: Hedvall
authors: Per
authors: P
authors: Åmark
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Gillberg
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Fernell
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000379:methods*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome