Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Prevalence and Characteristics of Sensory Processing Abnormalities and its Correlation with FDG-PET Findings in Children with Autism

  • Original Article
  • Published:
The Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To study the prevalence and characteristics of Sensory processing abnormalities (SPAs) in children with autism and to study if there is any correlation between sensory processing abnormalities with FDG-PET findings in children with severe autism.

Methods

One hundred children, aged 3–12 y, diagnosed as Autistic spectrum disorder; ASD (DSM-V) and 100 age and sex matched controls were studied. SPAs were detected using Short sensory profile (SSP) questionnaire. Children with progressive neurological diseases, active epilepsy and structural brain abnormalities were excluded. On Childhood Autism rating scale, 30 children had severe and 70 had mild-moderate autism. The pattern of sensory processing abnormalities in children with severe ASD was compared with mild-moderate ASD. FDG-PET scan was done in children with severe autism and correlated with SPAs.

Results

All children with severe autism had sensory processing abnormalities as compared to only 40% children with mild-moderate autism. Underresponsiveness/seeking-sensation was affected in all children with severe ASD and 82% had movement sensitivity. In children with mild-moderate ASD, 45% had auditory filtering, 30% had movement sensitivity and 27% had underresponsiveness/seeking-sensation. FDG-PET was abnormal in 17% of children with severe autism. Diffuse cerebral/ temporal lobe hypometabolism, increased bilateral frontal lobe uptake and moderate reduction in parietal lobe (Lt > Rt) was observed.

Conclusions

All patients with severe autism had SPAs. However, they did not correlate with FDG-PET findings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Tomchek SD, Dunn W. Sensory processing in children with and without autism: a comparative study using the short sensory profile. Am J Occup Ther. 2007;61:190–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Watling R, Hauer S. Effectiveness of Ayres sensory integration® and sensory-based interventions for people with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review. Am J Occup Ther. 2015;69:6905180030p1–12. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.018051.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Dilber C, Calışkan M, Sönmezoğlu K, et al. Positron emission tomography findings in children with infantile spasms and autism. J Clin Neurosci. 2013;20:373–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Zilbovicius M, Boddaert N, Belin P, et al. Temporal lobe dysfunction in childhood autism: a PET study. Positron emission tomography. Am J Psychiatry. 2000;157:1988–93.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Hall GBC, Szechtman H, Nahmias C. Enhanced salience and emotion recognition in autism: aPET study. Am J Psychiatry. 2003;160:1439–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Schopler E, Reichler RJ, DeVellis RF, Daly K. Toward objective classification of childhood autism: childhood autism rating scale (CARS). J Autism Dev Disord. 1980;10:91–103.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Chlebowski C, Green JA, Barton ML, Fein D. Using the childhood autism rating scale to diagnose autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2010;40:787–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Boyd BA, Baranek GT, Sideris J, et al. Sensory features and repetitive behaviors in children with autism and developmental delays. Autism Res. 2010;3:78–87.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Ben-Sasson A, Hen L, Fluss R, Cermak SA, Engel-Yeger B, Gal E. A meta-analysis of sensory modulation symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord. 2009;39:1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Wing L. Sex ratios in early childhood autism and related conditions. Psychiatry Res. 1981;5:129–37.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Frazier TW, Georgiades S, Bishop SL, Hardan AY. Behavioral and cognitive characteristics of females and males with autism in the Simons simplex collection. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014;53:329–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Head AM, McGillivray JA, Stokes MA. Gender differences in emotionality and sociability in children with autism spectrum disorders. Mol Autism. 2014;5:19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Schifter T, Hoffman JM, Hatten HP, Hanson MW, Coleman RE, DeLong GR. Neuroimaging in infantile autism. J Child Neurol. 1994;9:155–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Rumsey JM, Duara R, Grady C, et al. Brain metabolism in autism. Resting cerebral glucose utilization rates as measured with positron emission tomography. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1985;42:448–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Hazlett EA, Buchsbaum MS, Hsieh P, et al. Regional glucose metabolism within cortical Brodmann areas in healthy individuals and autistic patients. Neuropsychobiology. 2004;49:115–25.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Zilbovicius M, Garreau B, Samson Y, et al. Delayed maturation of the frontal cortex in childhood autism. Am J Psychiatry. 1995;152:248–52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Galuska L, Szakáll S Jr, Emri M, et al. PET and SPECT scans in autistic children. Orv Hetil. 2002;143:1302–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Brunelle F, Boddaert N, Zilbovicius M. Autism and brain imaging. Bull Acad Natl Med. 2009;193:287–97.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Siegel BV Jr, Asarnow R, Tanguay P, et al. Regional cerebral glucose metabolism and attention in adults with a history of childhood autism. J Neuropsychiatr Clin Neurosci. 1992;4:406–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ankura Hospital for Women and Children, Hyderabad, India

    Razia Adam Kadwa

  2. Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Center, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

    Jitendra Kumar Sahu

  3. Department of Pediatric Neurology and Neurodevelopment, Medanta, The Medicity, Gurgaon, Haryana, India

    Pratibha Singhi

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

    Prahbhjot Malhi

  5. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

    B. R. Mittal

Authors
  1. Razia Adam Kadwa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jitendra Kumar Sahu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Pratibha Singhi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Prahbhjot Malhi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. B. R. Mittal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

RAK and JKS were involved in conception of the work, data acquisition, analysis, interpretation of the data and prepared the first draft. PM did the psychological assessments and was also involved in data acquisition. BRM analysed FDG-PET of the patients involved in the study. PS is the Clinician-in-charge, was involved in design, planned and guided the study, and did critical review of the manuscript for intellectual content. The final manuscript was corrected and approved by all authors. PS will act as guarantor for this paper.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pratibha Singhi.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

None.

Source of Funding

The authors acknowledge PGIMER for research grant to procure the Short sensory profile questionnaire.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kadwa, R.A., Sahu, J.K., Singhi, P. et al. Prevalence and Characteristics of Sensory Processing Abnormalities and its Correlation with FDG-PET Findings in Children with Autism. Indian J Pediatr 86, 1036–1042 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-019-03061-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-019-03061-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation