Abstract
A case is reported of early infantile autism associated with a congenital cytomegalovirus infection. The diagnosis of autism is based on the child's failure to develop good interpersonal relationships, poor eye contact, delayed and deviant use of language, and her rote and nonthematic use of objects and playthings. Resistance to change and self-stimulatory behavior were also present. Onset was before 2 years of age. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection was suggested by the presence of an antibody response to the virus, culture of the virus from the urine, sensorineural hearing loss, and inflammatory damage to the retina of the eye. Although over time improvement was noted, at last examination at the age of 5 years her behavior is still markedly deviant. This and other reported cases suggest that congenital viral infection may be an important cause of infantile autism. It is hypothesized that an ability of the agent to establish chronic infection may predispose to behavioral aberration.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams, D. H., & Bell, T. M.Slow viruses. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, 1976. Pp. 77–83.
Chess, S. Autism in child with congenital rubella.Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 1971,1, 33–47.
Chess, S. Follow-up report on autism in congenital rubella.Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 1977,7, 69–81.
DeLong, G., Bean, S. C., & Brown, F. R. Acquired reversible autistic syndrome in acute encephalopathic illness in children.Archives of Neurology, 1981,38, 191–194.
Deykin, E. Y., & MacMahon, B. Viral exposure and autism.American Journal of Epidemiology, 1979,109, 826–836.
Hanshaw, J. B., & Dudgeon, J. A.Viral diseases of the fetus and newborn. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1978. P. 63.
Knobloch, H., & Pasamanick, B. Some etiologic and prognostic factors in early infantile autism and psychosis.Pediatrics, 1975,55, 182–191.
Marlowe, W. B., Mancall, E. L., & Thomas, J. J. Complete Klüver-Bucy syndrome in man.Cortex, 1975,11, 53–59.
Purvis-Smith, S. G., Hayes, K., & Menser, M. A. Dermatoglyphics in children with prenatal cytomegalovirus infection.Lancet, 1972,2, 976–977.
Rutter, M., & Bartak, L. Causes of infantile autism: Some considerations from recent research.Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 1971,1, 20–32.
Stubbs, E. G. Autistic symptoms in a child with congenital cytomegalovirus infection.Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 1978,8, 37–43.
Wright, H. T., Parker, C. E., & Mavalwala, J. Unusual dermatoglyphic findings associated with cytomegalic inclusion disease of infancy.California Medicine, 1972,116, 14–20.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Markowitz, P.I. Autism in a child with congenital cytomegalovirus infection. J Autism Dev Disord 13, 249–253 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01531564
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01531564