Autism and developmental delay: a comparative clinical study in very young children using IBSE scale.

Objective: This study improves the knowledge of early autistic symptomatology and research concerning (i) the significant differences in the behaviors of children with autistic disorder (AD) and children with a developmental delay (DD), and (ii) the influence of the cognitive delay on symptomatology.

Method: Two groups of 20 young children (7-42 months) were compared: children with AD, and those with DD. The groups were paired by chronological and developmental age.

Relevance of platelet serotonin and plasma tryptophan concentration in normal pregnant women and newborns to early child psychiatry.

Dysfunctions of the serotonergic system are implicated in psychiatric disorders, and there is evidence that a familial element may be significant in childhood autism. The concentrations of platelet 5-HT and free and total plasma tryptophan were determined in healthy pregnant women at each month of pregnancy and, at delivery, in both maternal and umbilical cord blood. A significant rise in the level of platelet 5-HT occured during month 3 and 4 followed by a retum to normal from month 5 until the delivery.