Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a significant health problem with no known single cause. There is a vast number of evidence to suggest that oxidative stress plays an important role in this disorder. The author of this article reviewed the current literature in order to summarise the knowledge on the subject. In this paper, the role of oxidative stress is investigated in the context of its influence on pathogenesis, the use of oxidative stress biomarkers as diagnostic tools and the use of antioxidants in ASD treatment. Given the heterogeneity of ASD aetiology and inadequate treatment approaches, the search for common metabolic traits is essential to find more efficient diagnostic tools and treatment methods. There are increasing data to suggest that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of ASD, both directly and through its interplay with inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Oxidative stress biomarkers appear to have good potential to be used as diagnostic tools to aid early diagnosis of ASD. The results are most promising for glutathione and its derivatives and also for isoprostanses. Probably, complex dedicated multi-parametric metabolic panels may be used in the future. Antioxidants show good potential in ASD-supportive treatment. In all described fields, the data support the importance of oxidative stress but also a need for further research, especially in the context of sample size and, preferably, with a multicentre approach.

Background: This report focuses on the treatment histories of 21 patients diagnosed with Dravet syndrome (DRVT) under the care of the Mother and Child Institute in Warsaw. This paper aims to present typical treatment schemes for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, as well as to highlight the influence of genetic diagnosis on pharmacotherapeutic management and to present an economic analysis of hospitalization costs. This paper will also summarize the effectiveness of the latest drugs used in DRVT. Methods: Clinical data were collected retrospectively from available medical records. The effectiveness of anticonvulsant treatment was assessed based on epileptic seizure diaries and observations by caregivers and pediatric neurologists. Results: The study group (n = 21) consisted of patients aged 3–26 years. Orphan drugs dedicated to Dravet syndrome were introduced in all patients due to the genetic diagnosis, which significantly improved the patients’ clinical conditions. The breakthrough drugs were stiripentol (in 16/21) and fenfluramine (in 3/21). Conclusions: In recent years, molecular genetics has rapidly developed in Poland, along with a steady increase in knowledge of Dravet syndrome among the medical profession. Early and precise diagnosis provides the opportunity to target treatment with drugs dedicated to Dravet syndrome with high efficacy.

Autism spectrum disorder is an important health problem with no known single cause. There is a vast number of evidence showing the important role of oxidative stress in that disorder. The article's authors made the current literature research to summarize knowledge on that topic. In this paper the role of oxidative stress was studied in the context of its influence on pathogenesis, using oxidative stress biomarkers as diagnostic tools and use of antioxidants in ASD treatment. There is growing data on the involvement of oxidative stress in ASD pathogenesis as well as its direct effect and also by its interlay with inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Oxidative stress biomarkers seem to have good potential to be used as diagnostic tools supporting early ASD diagnosis. Antioxidants show good potential in ASD-supportive treatment. In all described fields data support the importance of oxidative stress but also a need for further research.