Egyptian Journal of Psychiatry

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2017  |  Volume : 38  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 164--171

Autistic traits in the offspring of schizophrenic patients: a cross-sectional study


Ghada M Salah El-Deen, Rehab S Mahdy 
 Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

Correspondence Address:
Ghada M Salah El-Deen
Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig
Egypt

Background Recent research shows that for every kid who receives an actual autism diagnosis, there is another who has autistic traits including repetitive behaviors and communication problems. Aim The aim of this study was to detect the existence of autistic traits among offspring of schizophrenic patients in the age group from 4 to 11 years, and its association with the sociodemographic data. Patients and methods Sixty-three offspring of schizophrenic patients (who were diagnosed using DSM-IV) from 4 to 11 years of age (based on a pilot study) were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. The Autism Spectrum Quotient-Children’s version (AQ-Child) questionnaire was applied and medical, neurological history and examination, and psychological assessment were carried out for each child. Results According to the AQ-Child, the normal insignificant score of autistic traits ranges from 0 to 45 and no child lied in this category. About 55.6 % of the children scored below the cutoff point (46–75) and 44.4% of the children scored above the cutoff point (76). Conclusion The frequency of autistic traits was markedly high in the children of schizophrenic patients. No statistically significant difference was found between above and below AQ score groups as regards sociodemographic and clinical factors, except for socioeconomic status.


How to cite this article:
Salah El-Deen GM, Mahdy RS. Autistic traits in the offspring of schizophrenic patients: a cross-sectional study.Egypt J Psychiatr 2017;38:164-171


How to cite this URL:
Salah El-Deen GM, Mahdy RS. Autistic traits in the offspring of schizophrenic patients: a cross-sectional study. Egypt J Psychiatr [serial online] 2017 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];38:164-171
Available from: https://new.ejpsy.eg.net//article.asp?issn=1110-1105;year=2017;volume=38;issue=3;spage=164;epage=171;aulast=Salah;type=0