Abstracts

Rationale: Electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities could be seen in up to 60% of non-epileptic children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They have been used as biomarkers of ASD severity. The objective of our study is to identify EEG abnormalities in children with different degrees of ASD severity based on the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). We also want to assess the quality of life for children with ASD.


Methods: The study comprised children between the ages of 2 and 18 who were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and performed a one-hour sleep-deprived electroencephalogram (EEG). At the time of EEG, parents or caregivers filled out the ATEC (Thai Version) and the PedsQL Generic Core Scales.

Results: Forty-five children were enrolled, of whom 42 were male. EEG abnormalities were found in 10 (22.2%) children, predominantly in the bilateral frontal areas. There were no differences in EEG findings among the mild, moderate, and severe ASD groups. The severity of ASD was associated with female sex (p-value = 0.013), ASD with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (p-value = 0.032), ASD children taking medications (p-value = 0.048), and a lower Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) (p-value < 0.001). Social and emotional domains were the most problematic for health-related quality of life in ASD children, according to parent reports of PedsQL.


Conclusions: EEG abnormalities alone cannot be used as a standard biomarker for determining the severity of ASD. EEG recordings of children with ASD who did not have a clinical history of seizures revealed abnormalities in excess of 20%. When there is a clinical suspicion of seizures, an EEG is recommended.


Funding:
The Research Affairs of the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.