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Developmental regression in children: Current and future directions

Kirsten Furley1, Chirag Mehra2, Robin P Goin-Kochel3

  • 1Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior
|October 15, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Developmental regression, where children lose skills, is seen in Autism and genetic disorders. This overview synthesizes knowledge gaps and future research directions for these complex conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Child development
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Developmental regression involves the loss of previously acquired skills in children.
  • It is recognized in various neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism, Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathies (e.g., Landau-Kleffner syndrome), and genetic disorders (e.g., Rett syndrome, Phelan McDermid syndrome).
  • Despite over a century of reporting, significant knowledge gaps persist due to condition-specific studies, retrospective methods, and inconsistent definitions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of developmental regression.
  • To synthesize key definitions, clinical measures, and etiological clues.
  • To discuss impacts on caregiver health and highlight future research directions.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review and synthesis.
  • Analysis of definitions, clinical measures, and etiological factors.
  • Discussion of caregiver impacts and future research needs.

Main Results:

  • Identified significant knowledge gaps in neurocognitive mechanisms, trajectories, and outcomes for children with developmental regression.
  • Highlighted inconsistencies in definitions and measurement tools across studies.
  • Acknowledged the substantial physical and mental health impacts on caregivers.

Conclusions:

  • There is a critical need for standardized definitions and methodologies in developmental regression research.
  • Further investigation into neurocognitive mechanisms and long-term outcomes is essential.
  • Addressing the needs of caregivers is crucial for comprehensive management and support.

Keywords:
Autistic regressionChildhood disintegrative disorderDevelopmental regressionLoss of skillsSkills loss

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