Autism Spectrum Disorder in Pediatric Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Anne K Jensen,Grace L Paley,Geraldine W Liu,Christina L Szperka,Shana E Mccormack,Claire A Sheldon,Grant T Liu

doi:10.3390/life11090972

Abstract

In recent years, the substantial burden of medical comorbidities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) populations has been described. We report a retrospective observational case series of pediatric patients with suspected idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and concurrent ASD. Pediatric subjects with suspected IIH aged 2–18 years were identified by review of a pediatric neuro-ophthalmologist’s database spanning from July 1993 to April 2013. ASD diagnoses were identified within this cohort by an ICD-9 diagnosis code search and database review. Three subjects had concurrent ASD diagnoses; all were non-obese males. Since the retrospective observational case series was performed in April 2013, we identified three additional IIH cases in boys with ASD. Our experience suggests that IIH may be a comorbidity of ASD, particularly in non-obese boys.

Highlights

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction [1]
One other subject satisfied the criteria for a definite diagnosis, and the other was a probable diagnosis, except MR venograms were not performed, their brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not have any evidence of major cerebral venous occlusion
Our findings suggest a possible association between ASD and pediatric intracranial hypertension (IIH), among non-obese males

Summary

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction [1]. The substantial comorbidity burden among the ASD population has become apparent, with over 70% of patients having concurrent medical, developmental, or psychiatric conditions [1]. The term idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is used when there is no evidence of a likely precipitant. IIH, pediatric IIH is less strongly associated with female sex predilection and obesity, and it is more likely to present asymptomatically [3,4,5,6]. Pubertal or post-pubertal IIH is more similar to adults with female sex predilection and obesity. In the course of caring for children with IIH, we noted several cases with concurrent ASD diagnoses, especially among non-obese boys

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Discussion

Conclusion