Clinical and functional profile of children with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

Introduction. Currently, the gain in the number of children patients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has been recorded. The key feature of the given group is the polysystemic expression, with considerable disruption of the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and immune processes. The research of their counteraction and development is essential for determining tactics for ASD patients’ combination treatment. Aim of the study is to present a clinical and functional patient profile with Autism Spectrum Disorders based on the clinical, medical and social trial. Materials and methods. We conducted a pilot observational, comparative study within two groups of children (62 ASD patients and 48 healthy children dominated by boys). The examination included receiving complaints, objective assessment by the paediatrician and neurologist, filling in medical records, covering complaints and the results of patients’ objective examination and parents/caretakers surveys. Results. The study revealed the predominance of complaints about mental disruptions over somatic complaints. Notably, parents/ caretakers indicated the presence of sleep disturbances (up to 22.5%) and specific eating habits (up to 27.4%) in their children. Young patients in the group under consideration exposed signs of allergic diseases chronic intoxication syndromes and micronutrient deficiencies. Nearly one-third of children reported the presence of functional disorders/digestive diseases. Conclusion. Young patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder are diagnosed with burdened physical status in the form of functional disruptions and diseases. These findings necessitate the paediatrician’s active early detection of organs’ malformation and require somatic systematic monitoring by the psychiatrist and skilled attendance of other medical specialists.