Gopen Kumar Kundu*, Sadia Sultana, Choudhury Rehnuma Tabassum and Ishrat Zahan Nigar
Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with high heterogeneity. While the symptoms of ASD can manifest before 2 years of age, they usually become more apparent between 2 and 3 years of age. Patients with ASD are all unique in their presentation; however, the disorder is characterized by core symptoms that include impairments in social interaction and communication, as well as the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors. Risperidone and aripiprazole are most commonly used drugs for the treatment of irritability and aggressive behaviour in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of risperidone and aripiprazole for the management of core symptoms of children with ASD.
Materials and methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted in Institute of Pediatric Neuro disorder and Autism (IPNA) and department of paediatric neurology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from October 2019 to September 2020.
Children age 3 to 6 years, who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of ASD according to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) were included in this study. The study populations were divided into two groups: Group I-children on risperidone and group II-children on aripiprazole. After getting informed written consent from the parents, the study subjects, (group-I) and (group-II) were treated with risperidone and aripiprazole respectively. At the beginning of the treatment, all ASD children were assessed clinically and then ASD diagnostic tool, Autism Diagnostic Check List (ADCL) were administered to see the behavior score of children.
Results: In this study, the mean age was 3.96 ± 1.7 years in risperidone group and 3.55 ± 0.98 years in aripiprazole group. Majority (96.0%) child were male in risperidon group and 84.0% in aripiprazole group. Almost two third (64.0%) fathers education level was bachelor degree and above in risperidon group and 18 (72.0%) in aripiprazole group. Almost half (44.0%) mothers education level was bachelor degree and above in risperidon group and 13 (52.0%) in aripiprazole group. Almost one third (32.0%) fathers were non-government service both groups. Majority (96.0%) mothers were housewife in risperidone group and 22 (88.0%) in aripiprazole group. After treatment ADCL score were decreased almost two third (64.0%) of the study subjects in risperidon group and 11 (44.0%) in aripiprazole group.
Conclusion: The core symptoms of ASD reduced almost three fourth subjects such as improve sleep, reduced hyperactivity and increased attention in the risperidone group which is much higher than aripiprazole group. It was statistically significant (p>0.05) Majority subjects had increased appetite in risperidone group and increased sleepiness in the aripiprazole group and It was also statistically significant (p>0.05) .
Published Date: 2025-01-29; Received Date: 2023-07-22
