Differences across counties in the registered prevalence of autism, ADHD, epilepsy and cerebral palsy in Norway

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
10:02

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Published on: March 12, 2020

Pål Surén, Inger Johanne Bakken, Kari Kveim Lie

    Tidsskrift for Den Norske Laegeforening : Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin, Ny Raekke
    |October 3, 2013
    PubMed

    Insights

    Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and ADHD in Norwegian children varied significantly by county, likely due to diagnostic practices. Treatment is spread across many institutions, raising questions about appropriateness.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Child Neurology
    • Public Health

    Background:

    • Previous research in 2012 established the unknown prevalence of childhood developmental disorders and neurological diseases in Norway.
    • This study aims to compare diagnostic and treatment practices for these conditions across different Norwegian counties and institutions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To estimate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), ADHD, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy in children aged 0-12 years in Norway.
    • To compare the diagnostics and treatment of these conditions across counties and healthcare institutions.
    • To investigate potential reasons for variations in prevalence rates.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized data from the Norwegian Patient Register for the years 2008-2011.
    • Estimated prevalence rates for ASD, ADHD, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy in children aged 0-12.
    • Analyzed diagnostic and treatment distribution across 29 somatic hospitals and 102 child and youth psychiatry units.

    Main Results:

    • Nationwide prevalence in 6-12 year olds: ASD 0.6%, ADHD 2.0%, epilepsy 0.9%, cerebral palsy 0.3%.
    • Total prevalence of these diagnoses in twelve-year-olds was 5.0%.
    • Significant county-level variation observed for ASD (0.3%-1.5%) and ADHD (1.1%-3.5%), with minimal variation for epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

    Conclusions:

    • Variations in ASD and ADHD prevalence across counties are likely attributable to differing diagnostic practices.
    • The study questions the appropriateness of distributing treatment for these conditions across a large number of institutions.
    Abstract

    More Related Videos

    A Semantic Priming Event-related Potential (ERP) Task to Study Lexico-semantic and Visuo-semantic Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder08:17

    A Semantic Priming Event-related Potential (ERP) Task to Study Lexico-semantic and Visuo-semantic Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Published on: April 12, 2018

    Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 105:44

    Concurrent Collection of Fetal Murine Brain and Serum to Assess Effects of Maternal Diet on Nutrition and Neurodevelopment in Neurofibromatosis Type 1

    Published on: May 17, 2024

    Related Concept Videos

    Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

    Autism Spectrum Disorder

    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
    These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
    Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

    Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

    Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
    Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
    To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
    Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

    Epilepsy ll: Types

    Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.