| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
===Epidemiology=== | ===Epidemiology=== | ||
* Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is 1 in 100. | * Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is 1 in 100. | ||
| − | * The prevalence of mental retardation in idiopathic autism is | + | * The prevalence of mental retardation in idiopathic autism is ~60%; when the autism spectrum is taken as a whole, prevalence of MR is 30%. |
* Epilepsy has long been associated with autism, but estimates of prevalence of seizure disorder vary from 5% to 44%. | * Epilepsy has long been associated with autism, but estimates of prevalence of seizure disorder vary from 5% to 44%. | ||
===Risk Factors=== | ===Risk Factors=== | ||
Taking SSRI's 1 year before delivering a baby (during pregnancy and up to 3 months before conception) doubles the risk of ASD in the offspring; risk is even higher (adjusted OR=3.8) if the expecting mother is taking SSRIs during the first trimester. (1) | Taking SSRI's 1 year before delivering a baby (during pregnancy and up to 3 months before conception) doubles the risk of ASD in the offspring; risk is even higher (adjusted OR=3.8) if the expecting mother is taking SSRIs during the first trimester. (1) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Neuroanatomy (2)=== | ||
| + | An autistic brain undergoes a period of precocious growth during early postnatal life (1st year of life through early childhood) followed by a deceleration in age-related growth, based on head circumference and MRI studies. | ||
| + | * Abnormal brain enlargement in children with autism is disproportionately accounted for by increased white matter. | ||
| + | * Precocious enlargement in amygdala had been shown to persist into adulthood. | ||
===Screening=== | ===Screening=== | ||
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===References=== | ===References=== | ||
| − | (1) Croen LA, Grether JK, Yoshida CK, Odouli R, Hendrick V. Antidepressant use during pregnancy and childhood autism spectrum disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68(11):1104-1112. | + | (1) Croen LA, Grether JK, Yoshida CK, Odouli R, Hendrick V. Antidepressant use during pregnancy and childhood autism spectrum disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68(11):1104-1112. <br> |
| + | (2) Amaral et.al. Neuroanatomy of Autism. Trends in Neurosciences 2008 31(3):137-145. | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Revision as of 20:39, 30 November 2011
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Introduction
Epidemiology
- Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is 1 in 100.
- The prevalence of mental retardation in idiopathic autism is ~60%; when the autism spectrum is taken as a whole, prevalence of MR is 30%.
- Epilepsy has long been associated with autism, but estimates of prevalence of seizure disorder vary from 5% to 44%.
Risk Factors
Taking SSRI's 1 year before delivering a baby (during pregnancy and up to 3 months before conception) doubles the risk of ASD in the offspring; risk is even higher (adjusted OR=3.8) if the expecting mother is taking SSRIs during the first trimester. (1)
Neuroanatomy (2)
An autistic brain undergoes a period of precocious growth during early postnatal life (1st year of life through early childhood) followed by a deceleration in age-related growth, based on head circumference and MRI studies.
- Abnormal brain enlargement in children with autism is disproportionately accounted for by increased white matter.
- Precocious enlargement in amygdala had been shown to persist into adulthood.
Screening
M-CHAT: screen children for PDD as young as 18mo.
References
(1) Croen LA, Grether JK, Yoshida CK, Odouli R, Hendrick V. Antidepressant use during pregnancy and childhood autism spectrum disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68(11):1104-1112.
(2) Amaral et.al. Neuroanatomy of Autism. Trends in Neurosciences 2008 31(3):137-145.