Early signs of autism risk in infants with Down syndrome

Objective: To verify the prevalence of early signs of risk of autism in babies with Down syndrome. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional analytical study. A final sample consisted of 33 babies, and the PREAUT instrument was applied at 9 months of age. An assessment was performed by an applicator in each participating city. All evaluations were filmed and a second assessment was performed by the researcher responsible for the research. Results No babies were found to have a positive score for risk of autism. There was a prevalence of intermediate scores of (15.2%), a higher number than that found in the general population as pointed out in the study PREAUT et all of (6.02%). (84.8%) had a total score lower than the PREAUT et all study, which found 92.77%. There was no statistical relationship between the variables. Conclusions: The examiner's experience is fundamental in the qualitative evaluation of the interaction even with the difficulty in processing the stimuli. In our sample, the PREAUT instrument applied by different trained professionals was easily applicable and reliable. No baby in the sample of 33 children with Down syndrome showed early signs of autism risk, but it is necessary to follow this group up to at least 3 years of age for the final test evaluation. It is necessary to evaluate a larger number of patients to establish the risk of autism in this population.

Author(s): Natalia Lisce Fioravante Diniz

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