Abstracts

Rationale:
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social communication and interaction. Patients with autism are sensitive to an overload of sensory stimulation. COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency of international concern with no currently available cure or treatment and the only current effective preventive strategy is social distancing. The effects of social distancing on patients with autism has not been well studied. Patients with ASD are at increased risk of seizures, especially when ASD is accompanied by intellectual disability or a genetic syndrome. Though different triggers for seizures have been identified, little is known specifically about triggers for seizures in ASD patients. We report two cases of ASD with new-onset seizures likely triggered by stress or overstimulation secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Method:
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Results:
We report two patients with autism who presented with new-onset seizures during COVID 19 stay-at-home measures and suspension of non-essential travel.
Conclusion:
This report is the first preliminary finding suggesting that over stimulation and anxiety can possibly be a trigger for new-onset seizures in ASD patients with a sensory processing disorder and increased risk for seizures. This finding did not have any definite evidence in previous literature but was theorized to be possible in some reviews. If it holds true, decreasing stimulation, and stress management strategies might be helpful to prevent potentially life-threatening seizures during this difficult situation. However, we suggest larger studies which could focus on evaluating precipitating factors such as overstimulation and stress for new-onset seizure episode in ASD during the pandemic.
Funding:
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