Mortality in individuals with autism, with and without epilepsy.
Journal Article
Previous studies show higher mortality rates among individuals with autism than the general population. Comorbidity with epilepsy is an assumed, often ill-defined factor in the increased mortality rates of individuals with autism. Data from the Autism Tissue Program, a tissue donation program established to support biomedical research on autism, show that approximately one-third of its brain donors with autism also had epilepsy. Analysis of new data from the California State Department of Developmental Services is consistent with past reports showing that there is a higher than expected rate of mortality in individuals with autism and epilepsy than autism alone. Accurate, complete and accessible records on cause of death are necessary not just for brain research, but also for understanding risk factors that contribute to early death in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Various national health care and state developmental disability agency initiatives to reduce risk of mortality are described.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Pickett, J; Xiu, E; Tuchman, R; Dawson, G; Lajonchere, C
Published Date
- August 2011
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 26 / 8
Start / End Page
- 932 - 939
PubMed ID
- 21471551
Pubmed Central ID
- 21471551
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1708-8283
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1177/0883073811402203
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States