Autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: there was an increase in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence over the past years in many countries. Brazilian data have reached an estimate of 500 thousand affected individuals in 2010. This paper’s aim is to review the epidemiology, etiology, differential diagnosis, and treatment of ASD considering recent published advances from the scientific literature. METHODS: review on the diagnosis and approach to autism in children based on the published papers over the past five years selected through keywords “autism” and “autistic spectrum” in databases PubMed and CAPES, as well as recent editions of pertinent scientific books. RESULTS: ASD diagnosis is clinical and based on the clinical history obtained from the patient’s family, child’s clinical observation and physical examination, and video-recording made at home by parents or guardians during the first years of life. Its clinical picture varies throughout time, according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. The etiology is thought to have a genetic, neurobiologic, and neuropsychologic basis. ASD may be associated with a variety of known condition and genetic syndromes. CONCLUSIONS: the pediatrician is required to familiarize with red flags that lead one to suspect an ASD diagnosis, in order to coordinate an early intervention and multidisciplinary treatment for the patient, thus contributing to his/her development recovery, and to advocate in favor of affected children and adolescents needs.