Epilepsy and EEG abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of epilepsy and electroencephalographic abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and determine their risk factors. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted over one year in children with ASD aged between 3 and 14 y. Classification of epilepsy and routine electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were done for all the patients. Developmental and cognitive assessments were done using Developmental Profile 3. Children were divided into three groups: ASD with epilepsy, ASD with isolated electroencephalographic abnormalities, and ASD with neither epilepsy nor electroencephalographic abnormalities. Results One hundred children with ASD were enrolled. Epilepsy was reported in 23% and subclinical electroencephalographic abnormalities were documented in 8%. The most common seizure types were generalized-onset tonic-clonic (48%), focal-onset with impaired awareness (17%), and focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (17%). In children with subclinical epileptiform discharges, focal abnormalities were most common (75%) and were maximally seen over the temporal region (50%). Subnormal intellect (88.6%) and abnormal global developmental score (82%) were noted in the majority of children. Female gender, abnormal neurological examination, and adverse perinatal events were significantly associated with epilepsy. Of these, female gender and adverse perinatal events were independent predictors of epilepsy. Isolated EEG abnormalit…