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Published on: June 15, 2011
Low but increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in a French area from register-based data
Marit Maria Elisabeth van Bakel1, Malika Delobel-Ayoub2,3, Christine Cans4
1Register for Severely Disabled Children and Perinatal Observatory (RHEOP), 23 Avenue Albert 1er de Belgique, 38000, Grenoble, France. maritvanbakel_rheop@orange.fr.
Insights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence in French children increased significantly from 1997-2003. Overall ASD rates reached 36.5 per 10,000 children, with intellectual disability common in nearly half of cases.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Child Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) encompass a range of neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Accurate prevalence data is crucial for public health planning and resource allocation.
- Previous studies have shown varying ASD prevalence rates globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the register-based prevalence of childhood autism (CA), Asperger's syndrome (AS), and other ASD in French children.
- To analyze trends in ASD prevalence over time.
- To report the comorbidity profile, particularly intellectual disability, in children with ASD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized register-based data from four French counties for children born between 1997 and 2003.
- Calculated prevalence rates per 10,000 children for CA, AS, and other ASD.
- Assessed the proportion of children with intellectual disability and other comorbidities.
Main Results:
- A total of 1123 children with ASD were identified, with an overall prevalence of 36.5/10,000.
- Prevalence rates were 8.8/10,000 for CA, 1.7/10,000 for AS, and 25.9/10,000 for other ASD.
- ASD prevalence showed a significant increasing trend (p < 0.0001) during the study period. Intellectual disability was present in 47.3% of cases, with other comorbidities in less than 5%.
Conclusions:
- ASD prevalence in children has significantly increased in France.
- The study highlights the substantial burden of intellectual disability among children with ASD.
- Continued surveillance and research are needed to understand the rising trends and associated factors in ASD.
Abstract:
Register-based prevalence rates of childhood autism (CA), Asperger's syndrome (AS) and other autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were calculated among children aged 7 years old of the 1997-2003 birth cohorts, living in four counties in France. The proportion of children presenting comorbidities was reported. 1123 children with ASD were recorded (M/F ratio: 4.1), representing an overall prevalence rate of 36.5/10,000 children (95 % CI 34.4-38.7): 8.8/10,000 for CA (95 % CI 7.8-9.9), 1.7/10,000 for AS (95 % CI 1.3-2.3) and 25.9/10,000 for other ASD (95 % CI 24.2-27.8). ASD prevalence significantly increased (p < 0.0001) during the period under study. The proportion of children with an intellectual disability was 47.3 %, all other comorbidities were present in less than 5 % of the cases.
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