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Autism, a developmental disorder, and schizophrenia are not generally thought to be related, but there is some evidence to suggest that those with autism are at higher risk of developing schizophrenia later in life. The conditions may therefore be related, calling into question the differentiation maintained by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, third Edition, revised (DSM-III-R), which is a major diagnostic aid for clinicians and researchers. To evaluate the likelihood of a relationship between autism and schizophrenia, case records of 163 adolescents and adults, all with a history of autism, were reviewed for history of schizophrenia. Only one patient (0.6 percent) had a definitive history of schizophrenia, which is similar to the frequency at which this condition is seen in the general population. The authors discuss limitations, such as the size, and the potential biases of the study. However, based on the data, no evidence of a relationship between autism and schizophrenia was found. It is concluded that current diagnostic conventions are not in need of re-evaluation. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Autism is a syndrome causing developmental irregularities in language, response to sensory stimuli, and in forming relationships with others. Autism was recently examined in a survey that focused upon epidemiologic aspects of the disease. Based upon the results of the survey, the risk of recurrence was estimated and recommendations for genetic counseling were made. Criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition (DSM-III) were used in defining a group of 207 families having an incidence of autism. Autism formerly was thought to be the result of environmental factors but is currently believed to be a consequence of central nervous system dysfunction. It is probable that autism is a result of a number of interacting factors. Analysis of the data showed that 20 of the families had more than one autistic child, and the chance of autism in a sibling of an autistic child was 215 times greater than in the general population. The overall risk rate of a second autistic child was 8.6 percent, and this figure fluctuated by the sex of the first autistic child. If the first autistic child was a girl, the chance that the second child would be autistic was 14.5 percent; if a boy, the chance of recurrence was 7 percent. Individuals having two autistic children had a 35 percent change of having yet a third one. Because of the seriousness of the disorder and the generally poor prognosis, genetic counseling may be advisable for those who have one autistic child and are interested in family planning.