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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThere's no known cause of childhood disintegrative disorder. There's likely a genetic basis for autism spectrum disorders. The theory is that an abnormal gene is switched on in the early stages of development, before birth, and that this gene affects other genes that coordinate a child's brain development. Environmental exposures, such as to a toxin or infection, may contribute to these effects.
It's also possible that an autoimmune response may play a role in the development of childhood disintegrative disorder. In an autoimmune response, your body's immune system perceives normal body components as foreign and attacks them.
Childhood disintegrative disorder often occurs along with other conditions, including:
- Tuberous sclerosis. In this condition, noncancerous (benign) tumors grow in the brain.
- Lipid storage diseases. In this rare group of inherited metabolic disorders, a toxic buildup of excess fats (lipids) occurs in the brain and nervous system.
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. This chronic infection of the brain is caused by a form of the measles virus that results in brain inflammation and the death of nerve cells.
It's unknown whether these conditions play a part in triggering childhood disintegrative disorder or share genetic or environmental risk factors.
- Childhood disintegrative disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Pervasive developmental disorders. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Childhood disintegrative disorder. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203193401-3/1005176842/1608/73.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50031-1--cesec12_466 Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Pervasive developmental disorders. In: Stern TA, et al. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203193401-5/1005177285/1657/637.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04743-2..50071-8--cesec46_1911. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Augustyn M. Terminology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Autism spectrum disorders (pervasive developmental disorders). National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism/complete-index.shtml. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Augustyn M. Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 18, 2010.
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