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The phenomenology of autistic regression: subtypes and associated factors

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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the association of autistic regression (AR) and subtypes of AR with medical, developmental and psychiatric factors. Fifty-seven children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) were included in the study. Two types of AR are defined as regression after a normal social/language development (type 1) and regression as the worsening of previously reported autistic features (type 2). The frequency of history of AR was 56.1%. Male gender and sleep problems were found to be associated with a positive history of AR. The frequency of gastrointestinal complaints/diseases was higher in children with regression type 2 when compared to the children with regression type 1. Future studies with larger sample size and prospective design will contribute to clarifying the phenomenology and the associated factors of AR.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Antakya Hospital of Child Care, Hatay, Turkey

    Ozalp Ekinci

  2. Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ayse Rodopman Arman & Meral Berkem

  3. Mustafa Kemal University School of Medicine, Hatay, Turkey

    Ismet Melek

  4. Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey

    Yasin Bez

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  1. Ozalp Ekinci
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  2. Ayse Rodopman Arman
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  3. Ismet Melek
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  4. Yasin Bez
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  5. Meral Berkem
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Correspondence to Ozalp Ekinci.

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Ekinci, O., Arman, A.R., Melek, I. et al. The phenomenology of autistic regression: subtypes and associated factors. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 21, 23–29 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-011-0228-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-011-0228-7

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