Introduction:

Patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) present great heterogeneity in their behavioral, cognitive, medical and psychiatric characteristics. In our environment, there is no description of such variables. Even though other studies have described a characteristic clinical profile, it is necessary to know our white population.

Objective:

Clinically characterize patients diagnosed with ASD at two reference centers in Bogotá.

Patients and methods:

Retrospective, observational and descriptive study of a series of cases documented in medical records from January 2010 to January 2014. The clinical histories of all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD were reviewed, including sociodemographic data, personal and family history, as well as risk factors described in the literature in relation to the occurrence of ASD; diagnostic aids, comorbidities, and treatment.

Results:

Eighty-one cases met the inclusion criteria. In the series, predominance was found in the male gender (94.1%), perinatal complications (43%) and prematurity (7.6%). The main comorbidities were behavioral disorders (63%), epilepsy (23.5%) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (23%). The association between epilepsy and intellectual disability was significant at 84% (p <0.001). The association with genetic syndromes or inborn errors of metabolism was minimal in our series. Complementary studies were normal in most cases.

Conclusions:

In our series, non-syndromic autism predominated; the clinical presentation, the diagnostic and therapeutic approach all agree with what is reported in the world literature. The clinical elements constitute the main diagnostic tool, and behavioral management is the pillar of treatment. Analytical studies focused on the most significant variables will allow for the creation of therapeutic strategies aimed at our population.

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