Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 2)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 3)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 4)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 5)
Medical Student
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy are common neurodevelopmental conditions that can significantly impact the health of a child. It is widely known that children with ASD or epilepsy are often at a higher risk of suffering from other health conditions like ADHD, sleep disorders, and even asthma. Additionally, such children may be at greater risk for these comorbidities when combined with a high body mass index (BMI). Children in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) are particularly vulnerable due to limited healthcare resources and the alarmingly high prevalence of obesity in the area. This study aimed to determine whether children diagnosed with either autism or epilepsy in the RGV have a greater risk of suffering from other comorbid conditions, and how a high BMI might increase that risk.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of electronic medical records from UTHealth RGV patients treated between 2019 and 2024. ICD-10 codes were used to identify diagnoses of autism (F84.0), epilepsy (G40), and related conditions (e.g., cognitive delays, ADHD, asthma, sleep disorders, and high BMI [BMI ≥ 30]). We also collected demographic and clinical data, such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, insurance, BMI, height, and weight. Preliminary descriptive analysis was done in Excel to evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities in the full cohort and the pediatric subset (under 18), as well as the occurrence of high BMI among patients with these conditions. A biostatistician will perform additional statistical analysis, including regression models, using SPSS.
Results: From 2019 to 2024, we identified 4,351 pediatric patients in the Rio Grande Valley who were diagnosed with autism or epilepsy. Of these, 59.69% (n=2,597) had autism, and 21.0% (n=1,754) had epilepsy. Additionally, 40.31% (n=962) of pediatric patients had either autism or epilepsy along with ADHD, a type of sleep disorder, or asthma. High BMI (BMI ≥ 30) was observed in 3.9% (n=100) of autism patients and 5.5% (n=97) of epilepsy patients. Further analyses will explore the relationship between a high BMI and these comorbid conditions.
Conclusions: This preliminary analysis of the data suggests that children diagnosed with either autism or epilepsy are at a higher risk for comorbidities like ADHD, sleep disorders, and asthma. We noticed connections between a high BMI and children diagnosed with either autism or epilepsy. Considering the limited healthcare access in the Rio Grande Valley, these findings highlight the need for better screening and targeted interventions to address the healthcare challenges faced by children with autism and epilepsy in the region. Ongoing statistical analysis will look at the relationship between autism, epilepsy, and their comorbidities, along with the potential role that a high BMI might play in these children, to improve interventions and enhance screening practices in the region.
Recommended Citation
Quintanilla, Miguel A.; Zamora, Karina Y.; Duddu, Sowmya; Malbas, Maria Sophia Zaraspe; McAdams, Allison J.; Paz, Julia; and Baker, Kelsey, "Exploring ADHD, Sleep Disorders, and Asthma Comorbidities in Pediatric Patients with Autism or Epilepsy: A Retrospective Analysis in the Rio Grande Valley" (2025). Research Symposium. 109.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/109
Included in
Exploring ADHD, Sleep Disorders, and Asthma Comorbidities in Pediatric Patients with Autism or Epilepsy: A Retrospective Analysis in the Rio Grande Valley
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy are common neurodevelopmental conditions that can significantly impact the health of a child. It is widely known that children with ASD or epilepsy are often at a higher risk of suffering from other health conditions like ADHD, sleep disorders, and even asthma. Additionally, such children may be at greater risk for these comorbidities when combined with a high body mass index (BMI). Children in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) are particularly vulnerable due to limited healthcare resources and the alarmingly high prevalence of obesity in the area. This study aimed to determine whether children diagnosed with either autism or epilepsy in the RGV have a greater risk of suffering from other comorbid conditions, and how a high BMI might increase that risk.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of electronic medical records from UTHealth RGV patients treated between 2019 and 2024. ICD-10 codes were used to identify diagnoses of autism (F84.0), epilepsy (G40), and related conditions (e.g., cognitive delays, ADHD, asthma, sleep disorders, and high BMI [BMI ≥ 30]). We also collected demographic and clinical data, such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, insurance, BMI, height, and weight. Preliminary descriptive analysis was done in Excel to evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities in the full cohort and the pediatric subset (under 18), as well as the occurrence of high BMI among patients with these conditions. A biostatistician will perform additional statistical analysis, including regression models, using SPSS.
Results: From 2019 to 2024, we identified 4,351 pediatric patients in the Rio Grande Valley who were diagnosed with autism or epilepsy. Of these, 59.69% (n=2,597) had autism, and 21.0% (n=1,754) had epilepsy. Additionally, 40.31% (n=962) of pediatric patients had either autism or epilepsy along with ADHD, a type of sleep disorder, or asthma. High BMI (BMI ≥ 30) was observed in 3.9% (n=100) of autism patients and 5.5% (n=97) of epilepsy patients. Further analyses will explore the relationship between a high BMI and these comorbid conditions.
Conclusions: This preliminary analysis of the data suggests that children diagnosed with either autism or epilepsy are at a higher risk for comorbidities like ADHD, sleep disorders, and asthma. We noticed connections between a high BMI and children diagnosed with either autism or epilepsy. Considering the limited healthcare access in the Rio Grande Valley, these findings highlight the need for better screening and targeted interventions to address the healthcare challenges faced by children with autism and epilepsy in the region. Ongoing statistical analysis will look at the relationship between autism, epilepsy, and their comorbidities, along with the potential role that a high BMI might play in these children, to improve interventions and enhance screening practices in the region.
