The objective of this study was to identify clinical subgroups in children with childhood autism and to examine comorbidity in each subgroup. The study was based on medical records of 30 inpatients referred to a specialist ward for children with pervasive developmental disorders. Eighteen consecutive patients with an IQ above 50 and fulfilling research criteria for childhood autism were grouped in accordance with the Wing's social subgroups of autism (aloof, passive, and active but odd). Comorbidity, in terms of deficits in attention, motor control, visuo-motor and visuo-spatial function, as well as epilepsy, was described in each of the three groups. The aloof and passive groups produced a pure autistic triad of deficits, while the active but odd group was characterized by strong comorbidity.

The objective of this study was to examine whether social risk factors adjusted for gender and some well-known perinatal risk factors were related to parental descriptions of deviant behaviour in 3(1/2)-year-old children. The study was a prospective cohort study of 1345 mothers enrolled during early pregnancy. Parents answered a questionnaire and children's behavioural difficulties were categorized into the following groups; "hyperactive-distractible", "hostile-aggressive" and "anxious-fearful" following a modified Behar scale. The male gender was found to be related to a description of all kinds of deviant behaviour. Having a family member experiencing employment difficulties was the factor most closely related to "hyperactive-distractible" behaviour. Familial stress due to lack of time, experience of divorce and mothers in excess of 35 years at childbirth were found to be related to "hostile-aggressive" behaviour, but male gender was the most closely related. Social disadvantage was not found to be related to "anxious-fearful" behaviour.

No abstract

Exposure to tobacco smoke in utero was associated with hyperactive-distractible behaviour in preschool children.

Aim: To study the association between intrauterine exposure to tobacco smoke and behavioural disorders in preschool children, primarily symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity but also hostile‐aggressive and anxious‐fearful symptoms. Methods: We conducted a follow‐up study in 1355 singletons born to Danish‐speaking mothers. Information on smoking habits during pregnancy and other lifestyle factors was obtained from self‐administered questionnaires filled in during second and third trimester. Approximately 3.5 years later, the parents provided information on their child's behaviour using the self‐administered Preschool Behaviour Questionnaire. The children were categorized into three not mutually exclusive behaviour groups: hyperactive – distractible (13.6%), hostile–aggressive (4.6%), and anxious‐fearful (6.4%) children. Results: Compared with children of non‐smokers, children born to women who smoked 10 or more cigarettes per day had a 60% increased risk of hyperactivity and distractibility perceived by the parents (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.0–2.3; P < 0.05). The results were adjusted for maternal lifestyle factors and socioeconomic characteristics. Additional adjustment for perinatal factors and parental psychiatric hospitalization did not change the results substantially (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1–2.6). We found no statistically significant association between maternal smoking in pregnancy and hostile–aggressive and anxious‐fearful behaviour in the offspring. Conclusion: Exposure to tobacco smoke in utero was associated with hyperactive‐distractible behaviour in preschool children.