Reading and Writing Skills in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder Without Intellectual Disability.

The purpose of this study is to extend the knowledge about academic achievement in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To this end, first, we analyzed differences in a wide range of reading and writing skills in adolescents with ASD without intellectual disability (ASD-WID) and adolescents with typical development (TD). Second, these two groups were compared on academic outcomes in core subjects and indicators of successful transition to secondary school. Third, the potential contribution of literacy skills to academic outcomes was examined in the two groups. Participants were 56 adolescents between 12 and 14 years old, 30 with ASD-WID and 26 with TD. Results showed no significant differences between the two groups on measures of reading fluency or literal and inferential comprehension. However, the performance of the group with ASD was significantly lower on reading comprehension processes that assess cognitive flexibility. Regarding their written expression skills, significant differences were observed between the group with ASD and the group with TD on most of the indicators analyzed as: productivity, lexical diversity, and overall coherence (resolution component). In addition, findings showed that the deficits in reading and writing observed in the adolescents with ASD significantly affected their academic achievement, which was lower than that of their peers with TD and below what would be expected based on their intellectual capacity. Moreover, their families' perceptions of the transition to high school reflected worse adjustment and lower self-esteem, confidence, and motivation.

Perinatal and Obstetric Predictors for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The objective is to identify obstetric and perinatal factors that could be significant predictors of ASD and may lead to early detection and intervention. A population-based case-control study including 128 children diagnosed with ASD and 311 controls was conducted. Information was collected through self-reported questionnaires. The factors retained as significant predictors for ASD in the final adjusted hierarchical logistic regression model were cesarean section and male gender. The study revealed a higher incidence of cesarean sections and male gender in children with ASD in comparison to unaffected children confirming the results of previous studies. Children born by cesarean section, especially males, should be more closely monitored for the presence of ASD traits for early diagnosis and intervention.

[Clinico-radiological profile of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in the childhood population. A retrospective analysis of a series of 20 patients in a tertiary hospital]. / Perfil clinicorradiológico de la encefalomielitis aguda diseminada en la población infantil. Análisis retrospectivo de una serie de 20 pacientes de un hospital terciario.

INTRODUCTION: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADE) is an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system that is mediated immunologically and of unknown pathogenesis. It can present at any age, but is much more frequent in children. ADE has no specific biological marker and diagnosis is based on findings from clinical and neuroimaging studies. AIM: To enhance our knowledge of the clinico-radiological profile of this disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study involved patients under 14 years of age who were admitted to a tertiary hospital over the last 15 years with a diagnosis of ADE. History, clinical presenting symptoms, lab findings from blood/cerebrospinal fluid analyses and radiological semiology were reviewed. In 16 cases an average follow-up of 25 months was performed. RESULTS: The study examined 20 patients, 70% children, with a mean age of 4.4 years. Forty per cent had a previous febrile episode. Eighty-five per cent presented fever or vomiting, and 70% had altered states of mind. Motor deficits (45%), convulsions (35%) and involvement of the cranial nerves (30%) were predominant. Three children progressed with relapses and three others were left with motor sequelae. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintense lesions in T2, with a pattern of scarce/no enhancement, which were predominantly located in the thalamus (70%), the spinal cord (67%) and the white matter of the sub-cortex (50%). Haemorrhagic ADE was diagnosed in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: ADE is a condition with an important degree of general involvement and neurological repercussions, as well as considerable potential to leave the patient with sequelae. Clinico-analytical data and magnetic resonance scans of the head and spinal cord are relevant for the initial diagnosis and follow-up of patients with ADE.

TITLE: Perfil clinicorradiologico de la encefalomielitis aguda diseminada en la poblacion infantil. Analisis retrospectivo de una serie de 20 pacientes de un hospital terciario.Introduccion. La encefalomielitis aguda diseminada (EAD) es un trastorno inflamatorio del sistema nervioso central mediado inmunologicamente y de patogenia desconocida. Puede presentarse en cualquier edad, pero es mucho mas frecuente en niños. La EAD no tiene marcador biologico especifico y el diagnostico se basa en hallazgos clinicos y neurorradiologicos. Objetivo. Mejorar el conocimiento del perfil clinicorradiologico de esta enfermedad. Pacientes y metodos. Estudio retrospectivo con inclusion de pacientes menores de 14 años ingresados en un hospital terciario en los ultimos 15 años con el diagnostico de EAD. Se revisaron antecedentes, signos clinicos de presentacion, datos analiticos en sangre/liquido cefalorraquideo y la semiologia radiologica. En 16 casos se realizo un seguimiento medio de 25 meses. Resultados. Se revisaron 20 pacientes, un 70% niños, con una edad media de 4,4 años. El 40% tuvo un episodio febril previo. El 85% presento fiebre o vomitos, y el 70%, afectacion del estado de consciencia. Predominaron los deficits motores (45%), las convulsiones (35%) y la afectacion de pares craneales (30%). Tres niños presentaron una evolucion recidivante, y otros tres, secuelas motoras. Los estudios de resonancia magnetica mostraron lesiones hiperintensas en secuencias T2, con patron de realce escaso o nulo, que predominaron en los talamos (70%), la medula (67%) y la sustancia blanca subcortical (50%). En dos pacientes se diagnostico EAD hemorragica. Conclusiones. La EAD representa una entidad con importante afectacion general y repercusion neurologica, que muestra un potencial secuelar considerable. Los datos clinicoanaliticos y la resonancia magnetica cerebral y medular son relevantes para el diagnostico inicial y seguimiento de pacientes con EAD.