Abstract
The purpose of this study is to describe clinical and laboratory data, as well as comorbid disorders in Greek children with
autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Data were retrospectively collected for 222 children aged 1.5–9 years. The mean age at diagnosis
was 43.7 ± 17.6 months. Significantly earlier diagnoses were noted in children with comorbid disorders (epilepsy, hearing
deficits, genetic/metabolic disorders), mental retardation and a large head circumference (HC). Macrocephaly (HC ≥ 97th percentile)
was found in 21.2% of children, genetic and metabolic disorders in 11.7% and 2.7% respectively and mental retardation in 23%.
Patients with certain clinical features (i.e. syndromic) are earlier diagnosed. It is of ultimate importance to promptly identify
all children with ASD, probably through the appliance of screening and surveillance programs in the Greek population.
autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Data were retrospectively collected for 222 children aged 1.5–9 years. The mean age at diagnosis
was 43.7 ± 17.6 months. Significantly earlier diagnoses were noted in children with comorbid disorders (epilepsy, hearing
deficits, genetic/metabolic disorders), mental retardation and a large head circumference (HC). Macrocephaly (HC ≥ 97th percentile)
was found in 21.2% of children, genetic and metabolic disorders in 11.7% and 2.7% respectively and mental retardation in 23%.
Patients with certain clinical features (i.e. syndromic) are earlier diagnosed. It is of ultimate importance to promptly identify
all children with ASD, probably through the appliance of screening and surveillance programs in the Greek population.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1414-7
- Authors
- Athina Ververi, 1st Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 9 Anixeos Str., Panorama, 55236 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Efthymia Vargiami, 1st Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 9 Anixeos Str., Panorama, 55236 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Vassiliki Papadopoulou, Department of Child Psychiatry, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Dimitrios Tryfonas, 1st Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 9 Anixeos Str., Panorama, 55236 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Dimitrios I. Zafeiriou, 1st Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 9 Anixeos Str., Panorama, 55236 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257