Subclinical Epileptiform Dysfunction in Children with Idiopthic Autism

Background: Many studies reported high incidence of epileptiform discharges in children with autism, but with different rates and different patterns, few studies done for children with idiopathic autism. Aime of work: is to study the pattern of subclinical epileptiform discharge, and its clinical correlations for childern with idiopathic autism. Patients and methods: 47 children with idiopathic autism,with their ages range from 3-12 years (mean 6.96± 2.19), compared to 24 healthy age and sex matched contols. All children were assessed by electroencephalography (EEG) and brain imaging as a part of routine care, Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was done for assessing the severity of autism in patients group. Results: We found that,there were higher incidence of epileptiform discharges at children with idiopathic autism (51.1%) compared to 8.3% at the control group,(P value 0.002). The pattern of epileptiform abnormalities is highly correlated to the severity of autism (P value 0.000). Focal EEG changes (focal frontal ,occipital or temporal) predominate in severe cases of idiopathic autism (72.7%). In conclusion: subclinical epileptiform dysfunction were detected at higher rate in children with idiopathic autism, different EEG patterns were identified according to severity of autism. we recommend EEG study as a dignostic tool for children with idiopathic autism specially moderate and severe cases. [Riad M .Elsayed and Hala E. Sayyah. Subclinical Epileptiform Dysfunction in Children with Idiopthic Autism. J Am Sci 2012;8(8):398-401]. (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 61