PP07.11 – 2695: Epilepsy in autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

Objective Approximately one third of children with pervasive developmental disorders or autistic spectrum disorders reports an early regression of unknown cause in their children's language. Seizures are associated with language regression in acquired epileptic aphasia (Landau-Kleffner syndrome) and some other pediatric epileptic syndromes. Children with ASD and epilepsy had significantly more autism symptoms and maladaptive behaviors than children without epilepsy. Methods Children of our study were 72 boys and 20 girls on the autistic spectrum disorders seen consecutively in consultation by one child neurologist and psychiatrist in Universitary Hospital Center Tirana. Data on autistic regression, seizures, and cognitive function were entered prospectively into a data base. Results 28 (30%) had a history of regression, and 20 children (22%) had a history of epilepsy. Regression had occurred equally among children without seizures and in those with epilepsy. Regression was associated with an epileptiform EEG in 15% of 76 nonepileptic children who had undergone a regression. Mean age at regression was 23 months. Half of the epileptiform discharges were centro-temporal. Children with lower cognitive function were more likely to have undergone regression than those with better cognitive skills (30% vs 20%). Conclusion Epilepsy occur in a significant minority of autistic children with a history of regression and in a smaller minority without regression. There is no evidence-based treatment recommendation for individuals with autism, regression, and subclinical epilepsy.