The presence of the significant findings of lower daily living, socialization scores, higher hyperactivity, irritability scores in patients with ASD and seizures could possibly be due to the impairment of quality of life and cognitive impairment that seizures have induced in the ASD population. Conclusions: Lack of statistically significant differences in behaviors when comparing normal to abnormal EEG findings may be due to the small sample size and possible parental bias. In the statistical analysis, there was no significant difference in the degree of autism between the groups. Differences in irritability scores nearly reached statistical significance (p=0.058). ASD children with seizures also had higher levels of hyperactivity and irritability compared to ASD children without seizures.
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However, children with ASD and seizures had statistically significant lower scores in Daily living (p=0.009) and Socialization (p=0.007) than children without seizures. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in behavior when comparing normal to abnormal EEG findings. Of 21 packets received, 11 had normal EEGs and 10 were abnormal. On follow up telephone interview, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was administered to confirm diagnosis of ASD. Packets mailed to families included 1) the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale II, 2) the Aberrant Behavior Checklist. Exclusion criteria: any concomitant disorder which would account for the autistic features. Inclusion criteria: primary ASD, age above 4 years. A control group of age and gender matched patients with normal EEGs was also obtained. EEG abnormalities were found in 39 (31%). Methods: The EEG database at the Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo was reviewed, and out of 22,715 EEGs performed between 1999-2006, 123 were children with ASD. Since difficulties with socialization, and maladaptive behaviors are often found in autistic children, we inquire whether the presence of these behaviors indicates an underlying cerebral irritability or abnormal structural network that gives rise to epileptiform discharges.
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It is hypothesized that epileptiform activity is associated with adverse cognitive manifestations in children with ASD. The relationship between epilepsy, epileptiform discharges without clinical seizures and cognitive language and behavioral symptoms is poorly understood. Epileptiform EEG abnormalities are present in 10.3-72.4% of patients and interictal EEG abnormalities in 6.1-31%. Rationale: An increased prevalence of epilepsy and abnormal EEG's in autistic children has been described.