Disturbi pervasivi di Sviluppo. Studio preliminare sulle modalità di esordio e di evoluzione precoce

Objectives. To compare two samples of children with Pervasive developmental Disorder, with progressive (PF) and regressive (RF) onset respectively, as regarda early developmental anomalies, time needed for diagnosis and cognitive development. Aims and Methods. We examined two groups of subjects who received a diagnosis of PDD c/o our Division: 30 cases with PF (18-84 months) and 14 cases with RF (28-88 months). We analysed retrospective data and cognitive evaluation results. Results. No important differences between the groups were found, as regards early developmental anomelies and time needed for diagnosis; on the contrary, cognitive development showed, at time of examination, more impairment in the group with FR. Conclusion. We confirm the hypothesis of an atypical development before regression and of a more severe clinical symptomatology following I RF.