EPILEPSY IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Epilepsy is quite common in autism spectrum disorders, and it is increasingly recognized as an additional clinical problem that must be dealt with. The frequency of an abnormal electroencephalogram and/or epilepsy in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not well defined. The aim of the study to estimate the prevalence of epilepsy and electroencephalographic abnormalities in children with ASD. Epilepsy was diagnosed in 31 (28%) of children. Overall, the electroencephalogram was abnormal in 12 (11%) of children whereas 89% of the children had normal electroencephalograms. Abnormal electroencephalogram was found in 8 (26%) of children with epilepsy and in 4 (5%) of children without epilepsy. Identification of children with increased risk for epilepsy has important implication for the prognosis and treatment of the disease.