Comorbidities in Autism

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurobehavioural disorder where every individual exhibits a unique phenotype. We are all familiar with the core symptoms of Autism but there are several conditions which are often associated with or are co-morbid with Autism. We see a number of children with autism spectrum disorder presenting with secondary ADHD, more than 30% of them have clinical seizures or an abnormal EEG, anxiety is a frequent co-morbidity, about 80% have sleep associated disorders, constipation is a common association noted in this group of individuals. We will be discussing these briefly and we will try and understand the complex mechanism by which genetics plays a predominant role in its ethology. We will also be diving into exponential rise in prevalence and the controversies of vaccination in relation to Autism spectrum disorder.