The European Autism Information System project highlighted the lack of systematic and reliable data relating to the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in Europe. A protocol for the study of ASD prevalence at European level was developed to facilitate a common format for screening and diagnosing children across the EU. This is the first study to operationalise and screen national school children for ASDs using this protocol. National school children 6-11 years (N = 7951) were screened males 54 % (N = 4268) females 46 % (N = 3683). Screening children for ASD implementing the EAIS protocol using the Social Communication Questionnaire (Rutter et al. in Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ). Western Psychological Services, Los Angeles, ) as a first level screening instrument in a non-clinical setting of Irish national schools was demonstrated.

face, frontal bossing, and low-set protruding ears. His neurologic examination revealed normal muscular tonus and normal deep tendon reflexes with clumsy gait. Metabolic screening tests, including tandem mass, urine organic acids, plasma, and urine amino acid profiles were also normal. The patient underwent MRI of the brain as a firstline investigation, and T2 images demonstrated an extensive involvement of the hemispheric, subcortical white matter with a cerebrospinal fluid intensity signal change suggestive of multilocular giant VRS. MR spectroscopy showed no significant signal peak. The karyotype analysis of the patient was 46 XY, and FISH for Angelman syndrome also revealed a normal result. In the 2-year follow-up, the patient showed no neuromotor deterioration and radiological progression.In conclusion, VRS must be differentiated from other cystic lesions of the brain. Phenotypic characteristics of our patient were not compatible with the previously defined syndromes. Background and aims To determine the neurodevelopmental morbidity of preterm infants with periventricular intraventricular haemorrhage, at the age of 4. Methods The patients at the age of 4 were evaluated through neurologic examination and motor assessment by a paediatric neurologist and Denver II Developmental Screening Test by a psychologist. The results were compared with Denver II Developmental Screening Test results which had been made at 3-6 and 6-12 months. Results The total study population consisted of 66 prematurely born children of less than 37 gestational age. When the cases with PVH-IVH were graded with the cranial neuroimaging findings, 62,1% were documented as grade I haemorrhage, 18% as grade II, 6% as grade III and 13.9% as grade IV. Patients with grade III-IV Periventricular Intraventricular Haemorrhage had significantly lower Denver II Developmental Screening Test results at the age of 4, compared with grade I-II PeriventricularIntraventricular Haemorrhage group. Similarly, ≤32 weeks patients had significantly lower Denver II Developmental Screening Test at the age of 4 when compared with >32 weeks patients. Conclusions Children who were born ≤32 gestational weeks and/or patients with grade III-IV periventricular-intraventricular Haemorrhage have an increased risk of neurologic impairment. All premature infants should be evaluated by Denver II Developmental Screening Test in early childhood period of life. Research conducted on children with CHD displays that these children's neurological development is different than the normal population and focuses on the reasons of this difference. Currently, the factor that attains the highest emphasis is the Apo E genotype of the patients. We aimed at revealing the influence of Apo E gene on the neurological development process of children with CHD. Our goal is, predicting the nurological development of children with CHD according to Apo E gene expression, and anchoring the children requiring support, at an earlier stage. We investigated 188 children patients with CHD, in GUTF paediatr...

Background and aims To describe SCQ scores based on parental socio-economic characteristics for primary school children 6–11 years, 7951 screened as part of an autism prevalence study in three urban regions of the Republic of Ireland (Galway, Waterford, Cork). Methods A study booklet was completed by parents of eligible children included: demographics, developmental history, and a screening instrument, Social Communication Questionnaire – Lifetime Form (SCQ: Rutter et al ., 2003). Results The majority of study booklets were completed by mothers 4,474 (86%). Overall the highest mean total SCQ scores were for mothers of children educated to primary or secondary level education 42%, 2195; 5.54 ± 4.98 working in skilled and semi skilled manual occupations 25%, 807; 5.44 ± 4.63 or described their ethic cultural background as Irish traveller other white background 528 11%; 5.97 ± 5.34, African other black background 301, 6%; 6.72 ± 50.2. There were no significant differences in mean SCQ scores where mothers expressed concerns at any stage of their child’s development with and without diagnosed developmental disorders in relation to mothers educated to primary or secondary level education, working in skilled and semi skilled manual occupations, or those who described their ethic cultural background as Irish traveller other white background. Conclusions Mother’s first language and level of education may have been contributing factors relating to a proportion of observed high scores. However a number of the mothers of these children who expressed developmental concerns at any stage of the child’s development required further screening and/or referral for ADOS/ADI-R assessment.

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Background and aims A protocol was developed to screen 7,951 children 6–11 years for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) enrolled at national schools in three regions (Galway, Waterford and Cork) in the Republic of Ireland. Methods A study booklet completed by parents of eligible children, including: demographics, developmental history, and a screening instrument, Social Communication Questionnaire – Lifetime Form (SCQ: Rutter et al., 2003). Results Study booklets were primarily completed by children’s mothers 4,474, 86%. Thirteen percent 694 of primary caregivers reported developmental disorders. Of these 411, 59% had been diagnosed, 245, 35% undiagnosed 38, 5% or on a waiting list for assessment. Sixty six percent, 234 of these children’s parents expressed developmental concerns on or before the child’s fourth birthday. Awareness of developmental difficulties during early childhood was highest among the parents of children with a diagnosis of: ASD 48, 89%; Dyspraxia 48, 77%; ADHD 30, 71%. Significant differences in parental awareness were not observed for study children’s gender or age group. Neither was maternal awareness of difficulties in their child’s development and behaviour related to their level of education, social class, ethnic or cultural background or nationality. Conclusions Excluding developmental difficulties diagnosed at birth maternal concerns relating to children’s development was highest for children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders on or before the child’s fourth birthday. This is an important finding given that almost ½ of SCQ questions relate to children’s development at 4–5 years of age.