Association between autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy in children

MEI Song-Li; ZHANG Zhao; LIU Xin; GAO Ting-Ting; PENG Xin-Xian

doi:10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2017.05.014

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Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ›› 2017, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (5) : 549-554. DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2017.05.014

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Association between autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy in children

MEI Song-Li¹, ZHANG Zhao¹, LIU Xin¹, GAO Ting-Ting¹, PENG Xin-Xian²

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Abstract

Objective To examine the association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy in children. Methods A total of 190 children with ASD were enrolled. A self-designed questionnaire, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, and Autism Behavior Checklist were used to determine the association between ASD and epilepsy. Results Among the 190 children with ASD, 20 (10.5%) had epileptic seizures and 12 (6.3%) were diagnosed with epilepsy. The rates of abnormal physical development and hearing disorders before the age of one year were significantly higher in ASD children with epileptic seizures than in those without epileptic seizures (P < 0.05). The ASD children diagnosed with epilepsy and those receiving epilepsy treatment had a significantly increased rate of abnormal physical development before the age of one year (P < 0.05). The ASD children with epileptic seizures had poorer sensory responses and behavioral competencies than those without epileptic seizures (P < 0.05). Epilepsy treatment have a positive effect on behavioral competencies in ASD children (P < 0.05). Conclusions There is a significant association between ASD and epilepsy in children. The possibility of the comorbidity between ASD and epilepsy may be assessed according to the status of growth and development before the age of one year, sensory responses and behavioral competencies, and the presence or absence of epileptic seizures.

Key words

Autism spectrum disorder / Epilepsy / Growth and development / Child

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MEI Song-Li, ZHANG Zhao, LIU Xin, GAO Ting-Ting, PENG Xin-Xian. Association between autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy in children[J]. Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics. 2017, 19(5): 549-554 https://doi.org/10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2017.05.014

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