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. (C) 2011 Sociedad Espanola de Neurologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.