Two children with muscular dystrophies ascertained due to
referral for diagnosis of autism.
Zwaigenbaum L, Tarnopolsky M.
Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
zwaigenb@mcmaster.ca
We report two children who were referred for diagnostic assessment for autism
and were subsequently determined to have a muscular dystrophy (MD). Each child
had a history of speech delay and social impairments, but also had motor delays
that had not previously been investigated. Both children met diagnostic criteria
for autism spectrum disorders on standardized assessment. Each child was
hypotonic and had other mild motor impairments. Serum creatine kinase (CK)
activity was markedly elevated in each child, and subsequent muscle biopsy led
to diagnosis of Becker's MD and congenital (autosomal recessive) MD,
respectively. These cases highlight the importance of a thorough neuromotor
examination for all children with suspected autism spectrum disorders.
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