Dataset Information

Latent profiles of autism symptoms in children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Down syndrome (DS) is associated with elevated rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism symptomatology. To better characterise heterogeneity in ASD symptomatology in DS, profiles of caregiver-reported ASD symptoms were modelled for children and adolescents with DS.

Methods

Participants (n = 125) were recruited through several multi-site research studies on cognition and language in DS. Using the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2; Constantino and Gruber 2012), two latent profile analyses (LPA) were performed, one on the broad composite scores of social communication and interaction and restricted interests and repetitive behaviour, and a second on the four social dimensions of social communication, social motivation, social awareness, and social cognition.

Results

A three-profile model was the best fit for both analyses, with each analysis yielding a low ASD symptom profile, an elevated or mixed ASD symptom profile and a high ASD symptom profile. Associations were observed between profile probability scores and IQ, the number of co-occurring biomedical conditions reported, sex, and SRS-2 form.

Conclusions

Characterising heterogeneity in ASD symptom profiles can inform more personalised supports in this population, and implications for potential therapeutic approaches for individuals with DS are discussed.

SUBMITTER: Fidler DJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9009451 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Latent profiles of autism symptoms in children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

Fidler D J DJ Prince M A MA Van Deusen K K Esbensen A J AJ Thurman A J AJ Abbeduto L L Patel L L Mervis C C Schworer E K EK Lee N R NR Edgin J O JO Hepburn S S Davis S S Daunhauer L A LA

Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR 20220104 3

<h4>Background</h4>Down syndrome (DS) is associated with elevated rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism symptomatology. To better characterise heterogeneity in ASD symptomatology in DS, profiles of caregiver-reported ASD symptoms were modelled for children and adolescents with DS.<h4>Methods</h4>Participants (n = 125) were recruited through several multi-site research studies on cognition and language in DS. Using the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2; Constantino and Gruber 2012 ...[more]

PMID: 34984734

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundDown syndrome (DS) is one of the most common genetic causes of intellectual disability, and it is associated with an increased incidence of numerous co-occurring conditions. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is common in persons with DS, with rates reported as high as 39%. However, little is known regarding co-occurring conditions in children with both DS and ASD.MethodsA single-center retrospective review of prospective longitudinally collected clinical data was performed. Any patient with a confirmed diagnosis of DS evaluated at a large, specialized Down Syndrome Program in a tertiary pediatric medical center between March 2018 and March 2022 was included. A standardized survey which included demographic and clinical questions was administered during each clinical evaluation.ResultsIn total, 562 individuals with DS were included. The median age was 10 years (IQR: 6.18-13.92). Of this group, 72 (13%) had a co-occurring diagnosis of ASD (DS+ASD). Individuals with DS+ASD were more likely to be male (OR 2.23, CI 1.29-3.84) and had higher odds of a current or prior diagnosis of constipation (OR 2.19, CI 1.31-3.65), gastroesophageal reflux (OR 1.91, CI 1.14-3.21), behavioral feeding difficulties (OR 2.71, CI 1.02-7.19), infantile spasms (OR 6.03, CI 1.79-20.34) and scoliosis (OR 2.73, CI 1.16-6.40). There were lower odds of congenital heart disease in the DS+ASD group (OR 0.56, CI 0.34-0.93). There was no observed difference in prematurity or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit complications between groups. Individuals with DS+ASD had similar odds of having a history of congenital heart defect requiring surgery to those with DS only. Furthermore, there was no difference in rates of autoimmune thyroiditis or celiac disease. There was also no difference in rates of diagnosed co-occurring neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions in this cohort, including anxiety disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.ConclusionsThis study identifies a variety of medical conditions which are more frequent in children with DS+ASD than DS alone, providing important information for the clinical management of these patients. Future research should investigate the role of some of these medical conditions in the development of ASD phenotypes, and whether there may be distinct genetic and metabolic contributions towards these conditions.

Project description:Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are frequently reported in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We evaluated the frequency and severity of GI symptoms in preschool-aged children with ASD compared to participants with typical development (TD). Our goal was to ascertain whether GI symptoms are associated with differences in sex or developmental and behavioral measures. Participants were between 2 and 3.5 years of age and included 255 children with ASD (184 males/71 females) and 129 age-matched TD controls (75 males/54 females). A parent interview was used to assess GI symptoms (abdominal pain, gaseousness/bloating, diarrhea, constipation, pain on stooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, blood in stool or in vomit). Children with GI symptoms in each diagnostic group were compared to children without GI symptoms on measures of developmental, behavioral, and adaptive functioning. GI symptoms were reported more frequently in children with ASD compared to the TD group (47.8% vs. 17.8%, respectively). Children with ASD were also more likely to experience multiple GI symptoms (30.6% vs. 5.4%). GI symptoms were equally common in males and females across both diagnostic groups. There were no statistically significant differences in developmental or adaptive measures based on presence of GI symptoms in either ASD or TD children. Co-occurring GI symptoms were, however, associated with increased self-injurious behaviors, restricted stereotyped behaviors, aggressive behaviors, sleep problems and attention problems in both ASD and TD children. In children with ASD, a higher number of GI symptoms was associated with an increase in self-injurious behaviors, somatic complaints, reduced sleep duration, and increased parasomnias. LAY SUMMARY: ASD is characterized by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors. But, people with autism have many other difficulties including gastrointestinal problems. Children with ASD were three times more likely to experience GI symptoms than typically developing peers. Increased GI symptoms are associated with increased problem behaviors such as sleep problems, self-injury, and body aches. Since GI symptoms are often treatable, it is important to recognize them as soon as possible. Both clinicians and parents should become more aware of the high occurrence of GI problems in autistic people. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1778-1789. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Dataset Information

Latent profiles of autism symptoms in children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Latent profiles of autism symptoms in children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

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