A Genetic Study of Autism in Costa Rica: Multiple Variables Affecting IQ Scores Observed in a Preliminary Sample of Autistic Cases

Overview

Journal BMC Psychiatry

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2005 Mar 23

PMID 15780135

Citations 8

Authors

L Alison McInnes

Patricia Jimenez Gonzalez

Elina R Manghi

Marcela Esquivel

Silvia Monge

Marietha Fallas Delgado

Eduardo Fournier

Pamela Bondy

Kathryn Castelle

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Autism is a heritable developmental disorder of communication and socialization that has not been well studied in Hispanic populations. Therefore, we are collecting and evaluating all possible cases of autism from a population isolate in the Central Valley of Costa Rica (CVCR) for a clinical and genetic study.

Methods: We are assessing all subjects and parents, as appropriate, using the newly translated Spanish versions of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) as well as tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior. Detailed obstetric and family medical/psychiatric histories are taken. All cases are tested for Fragile X and will be extensively evaluated for cytogenetic abnormalities.

Results: To date we have obtained clinical evaluations on over 76 cases of possible autism referred to our study and report data for the initial 35 complete cases. The mean age of the probands is 6.7 years, and 31 of the 35 cases are male. Twenty-one of the cases have IQs <50 and only 6 cases have IQs > or = 70. Over half of the mothers had complications during pregnancy and/or delivery. No cases have tested positively for Fragile X or PKU. Chromosomal G-banding is not yet complete for all cases.

Conclusion: Diagnostic data gathered on cases of autism in the CVCR using Spanish versions of the ADI-R and ADOS look similar to that generated by studies of English-speaking cases. However, only 17% of our cases have IQs within the normal range, compared to the figure of 25% seen in most studies. This result reflects an ascertainment bias in that only severe cases of autism come to treatment in the CVCR because there are no government-sponsored support programs or early intervention programs providing an incentive to diagnose autism. The severity of mental retardation seen in most of our cases may also be exaggerated by the lack of early intervention programs and the use of IQ tests without Costa Rican norms. Still, we must formally train healthcare providers and teachers to recognize and refer autistic cases with normal or near normal IQs that are not seen in treatment.

Citing Articles

Neurodevelopmental assessments used to measure preschoolers' cognitive development in Latin America: a systematic review.

Williams M, Corn E, Martinez Ransanz S, Berl M, Andringa-Seed R, Mulkey S J Pediatr Psychol. 2024; 49(5):321-339.

PMID: 38244996 PMC: 11098046. DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsad089.

Barriers to an Information Effect on Diagnostic Disparities of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children.

Schelly D, Gonzalez P, Solis P Health Serv Res Manag Epidemiol. 2019; 6:2333392819853058.

PMID: 31211181 PMC: 6547173. DOI: 10.1177/2333392819853058.

Parental Action and Referral Patterns in Spatial Clusters of Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Schelly D, Gonzalez P, Solis P J Autism Dev Disord. 2017; 48(2):361-376.

PMID: 29019048 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3327-6.

Autism spectrum disorders and race, ethnicity, and nativity: a population-based study.

Becerra T, von Ehrenstein O, Heck J, Olsen J, Arah O, Jeste S Pediatrics. 2014; 134(1):e63-71.

PMID: 24958588 PMC: 4067639. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2013-3928.

The U.S./Costa Rica Neuropsychiatric Genetics Research Training Program Providing advanced training opportunities to Costa Rican neuropsychiatric researchers.

Escamilla M, Large D Neuroeje. 2014; 25(2):71-74.

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