One hundred males with Asperger syndrome: a clinical study of background and associated factors.

• The objective of this study was to investigate the background and associated factors in a representative group of young males with Asperger syndrome (AS) presenting at a specialized autism clinic. One hundred males aged 5 years 6 months to 24 years 6 months, with a mean age of 11 years 4 months (SD 3y 10mo), who had a clinical diagnosis of AS were included in the study. An in-depth review of their medical records and neuropsychological test data was performed. There was a high rate (51%) of non-verbal learning disability (defined as Verbal IQ more than 15 points higher than Performance IQ), but otherwise there was little or no support for the notion of right-hemisphere brain dysfunction being at the core of the syndrome. There was a very high rate of close relatives with autism spectrum problems, but also high rates of prenatal and perinatal problems, including prematurity and postmaturity. In comparison with general population data, those with AS very often had a combination of genetic and prenatal and perinatal risk factors. Non-verbal learning disability test results applied in about half the group. There was a subgroup of individuals with AS who had macrocephalus. However, there was no support for an association of AS with low body mass index.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adolescent

Adult

Agraphia

epidemiology

Apgar Score

Asperger Syndrome

epidemiology

etiology

genetics

Birth Weight

Body Height

Child

Child

Preschool

Chromosome Aberrations

Depression

epidemiology

Dyslexia

epidemiology

Epilepsy

epidemiology

Family Health

Female

Head

abnormalities

Humans

Infant

Newborn

Male

Maternal Age

Neuropsychological Tests

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Complications

epidemiology

Risk Factors

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)