Congenital Rubella and Autistic Behavior

To the Editor: The late-onset chronic progressive panencephalitis developing early in the second decade of life in four patients with documented congenital rubella infection (N Engl J Med 292:990 and 994, 1975) presents a pattern of regression in intellectual performance that is not surprising considering the underlying neuroabnormality. What deserves further exploration is the possible relation between the dramatic deterioration seen early in the second decade of life in the cases described and the regression in language and intellectual performance noted in some children with autistic behaviors noted in the second year of life. Most series of case reports covering….