Electroencephalogram changes in Autism Spectrum Disorder Patients at Zagazig University Pediatric Neurology Outpatient Clinic

Abstract

Background: Electroencephalogram (EEG) changes have been recorded in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) patients among hundreds of studies all over the world. Some may have stated EEG as a necessity in the ASD investigations. This study was done in order to determine whether there is a link between the severity of the clinical picture of ASD and the changes seen on the electroencephalogramMethods: The study took place at Zagazig University outpatient pediatrics neurology clinic, in the duration between January 2018 and February 2019. A case control study that included 42 children between 3 and 7 years in each group. The control group included children visiting the clinics for minor illnesses. The case group included ASD diagnosed patients with severity assessed using Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Both groups were video recorded while having an electroencephalogram doneResults: EEG changes were more prevalent in autistic children (40.5% compared to 7.2%) and despite the high prevalence compared to non-autistic children, they had no effect on the severity of symptoms (p < 0.001).Conclusions: EEG changes had no significant effect on the severity of Autism symptoms despite being more prevalent in ASD patients than healthy children.