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Published on: July 31, 2017
Clinical and laboratory data in a sample of Greek children with autism spectrum disorders
Athina Ververi1, Efthymia Vargiami, Vassiliki Papadopoulou
11st Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 9 Anixeos Str, Panorama, 55236 Thessaloniki, Greece. athenaververis@yahoo.com
Insights
Early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Greek children is linked to comorbid conditions like epilepsy and macrocephaly. Prompt identification through screening programs is crucial for timely intervention in children with ASD.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Clinical Genetics
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) represent a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are critical for improving outcomes in children with ASD.
- Understanding clinical characteristics and comorbidities in specific populations is essential for targeted healthcare strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe clinical and laboratory data.
- To identify comorbid disorders in Greek children diagnosed with ASD.
- To investigate factors associated with earlier ASD diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data collection from 222 Greek children aged 1.5-9 years.
- Analysis of clinical features, laboratory data, and comorbid conditions.
- Statistical evaluation to determine factors influencing age at diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Mean age at diagnosis was 43.7 months.
- Earlier diagnosis was associated with comorbid disorders (epilepsy, hearing deficits, genetic/metabolic disorders), mental retardation, and macrocephaly (21.2% of cases).
- Genetic and metabolic disorders were present in 11.7% and 2.7% of children, respectively; mental retardation in 23%.
Conclusions:
- Clinical features such as syndromic presentation correlate with earlier ASD diagnosis.
- Implementing screening and surveillance programs in the Greek population is vital for early identification of ASD.
- Prompt identification facilitates timely intervention and support for children with ASD and their families.
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.
