Individuals with ASD may have a variety of co-occurring conditions, including epilepsy,[1][2] bipolar-disorder,[3] and immunological problems,[4][5][6] such as asthma and atopic dermatitis.
Other conditions associated with ASD are fragile-x-syndrome and rett-syndrome.
Fragile X syndrome is a genetic condition that causes intellectual disability. Symptoms of Fragile X syndrome include ear, nose, and throat problems (ear infections or sinusitis), developmental delays, motor dysfunction, and the physical appearance of a long face with prominent forehead and protrusile ears.[7] These symptoms typically do not display until early childhood. Roughly 50% of individuals with Fragile X meet the diagnostic criteria for ASD and tend to have more severe developmental and behavioral problems.[8]
Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder that occurs predominantly in girls. The first signs of Rett syndrome are a failure to meet development milestones, usually between 6 and 18 months of age. Active regression occurs between 1 and 4 years of age, in which there is a loss of motor function and language skills. Eventually, this loss plateaus, although some individuals experience improvements in ASD traits through early adulthood. About 50% of people with Rett syndrome meet the criteria for ASD during the regression period, but this decreases with time.[9]
References
- ^Keller R, Basta R, Salerno L, Elia MAutism, epilepsy, and synaptopathies: a not rare association.Neurol Sci.(2017-Aug)
- ^Anand V, Jauhari PAutism, Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability: A Clinical Conundrum.Indian J Pediatr.(2019-10)
- ^Ghaziuddin M, Ghaziuddin NBipolar Disorder and Psychosis in Autism.Psychiatr Clin North Am.(2021-03)
- ^Pan PY, Tammimies K, Bölte SThe Association Between Somatic Health, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Autistic Traits.Behav Genet.(2020-07)
- ^Goines P, Van de Water JThe immune system's role in the biology of autism.Curr Opin Neurol.(2010-Apr)
- ^Onore C, Careaga M, Ashwood PThe role of immune dysfunction in the pathophysiology of autism.Brain Behav Immun.(2012-Mar)
- ^Stone WL, Basit H, Los EFragile X SyndromeStatPearls.(2022-06)
- ^Kaufmann WE, Kidd SA, Andrews HF, Budimirovic DB, Esler A, Haas-Givler B, Stackhouse T, Riley C, Peacock G, Sherman SL, Brown WT, Berry-Kravis EAutism Spectrum Disorder in Fragile X Syndrome: Cooccurring Conditions and Current Treatment.Pediatrics.(2017-Jun)
- ^Neul JLThe relationship of Rett syndrome and MECP2 disorders to autism.Dialogues Clin Neurosci.(2012-Sep)