Manifestaciones iniciales de los trastornos del espectro autista. Experiencia en 393 casos atendidos en un centro neurológico infantil / Early manifestations of autism spectrum disorders. Experience of 393 cases in a paediatric neurology

Introducción: Los trastornos del espectro autista son un grupo de desórdenes que se caracterizan por problemas en la socialización, en la comunicación verbal y no verbal; y por patrones de conducta repetitivos e intereses restringidos. La edad en la que se identifican varía según sea la intensidad e instalación de los síntomas iniciales del padecimiento. En las mejores condiciones de atención, las primeras manifestaciones se notan alrededor de los doce meses de edad y el diagnóstico se define entre los dos y tres años. Con frecuencia la búsqueda de atención médica y el inicio de las intervenciones se retrasan por la dificultad en la identificación de signos incipientes del trastorno. Los objetivos de nuestro estudio fueron describir las manifestaciones clínicas iniciales y aspectos epidemiológicos en pacientes con sospecha diagnóstica de espectro autista referidos a un centro neuropediátrico. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó análisis sistemático retrospectivo de 393 expedientes consecutivos con algún trastorno del espectro autista.Resultados: Entre los casos revisados 82,1% correspondieron al diagnóstico de autismo, 9,9% trastorno inespecífico, 4,8% Asperger y 3% con síndrome de Rett. El promedio de edad a su primera evaluación fue de 4,4 años. El 62,5% de los casos con autismo fueron detectados por problemas de lenguaje. Conclusiones: La edad de diagnóstico comparada con otros países sigue siendo tardía. Es necesario favorecer la detección temprana para mejorar el pronóstico y la calidad de vida de los niños con trastorno del espectro autista (AU)

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorders are group of conditions characterised by qualitative impairments in social communication, interaction, and imagination, and by a restricted range of interests and typical repetitive behaviours. Frequently, there is a delay in the age of detection, and therefore in starting multidisciplinary evaluations and interventions, which may result in a poorer prognosis and reduced quality of life for both children and parents. The aim of our study was to describe clinical and epidemiological data including the age of detection and main initial complaints present in children with autism disorders referred to a paediatric neurology centre.Patients and methods: A total of 393 medical records of consecutive cases diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder were reviewed.Results: Autism was diagnosed in 82.1% of the cases, unspecified pervasive disorder in 9.9%, Asperger syndrome in 4.8%, and Rett syndrome in 3%. Sixty percent of autistic children presented with a language disorder as their main complaint. The average age of detection was 4 years. Conclusions: Compared with other countries, age of detection is delayed. Primary care-based screening and surveillance are required in order to improve prognosis and quality of life of children with an autism spectrum disorder (AU)

Early manifestations of autism spectrum disorders. Experience of 393 cases in a paediatric neurology.

INTRODUCTION: Autism spectrum disorders are group of conditions characterised by qualitative impairments in social communication, interaction, and imagination, and by a restricted range of interests and typical repetitive behaviours. Frequently, there is a delay in the age of detection, and therefore in starting multidisciplinary evaluations and interventions, which may result in a poorer prognosis and reduced quality of life for both children and parents. The aim of our study was to describe clinical and epidemiological data including the age of detection and main initial complaints present in children with autism disorders referred to a paediatric neurology centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 393 medical records of consecutive cases diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder were reviewed. RESULTS: Autism was diagnosed in 82.1% of the cases, unspecified pervasive disorder in 9.9%, Asperger syndrome in 4.8%, and Rett syndrome in 3%. Sixty percent of autistic children presented with a language disorder as their main complaint. The average age of detection was 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with other countries, age of detection is delayed. Primary care-based screening and surveillance are required in order to improve prognosis and quality of life of children with an autism spectrum disorder.