Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development
05:44

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development

Published on: May 17, 2024

944

Prevalence of Autism and its Comorbidities and the Relationship with Maternal Psychopathology: A National

Mohammad Reza Mohammadi1, Nastaran Ahmadi2, Ali Khaleghi1

  • 1Psychiatry and Psychology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Archives of Iranian Medicine
|November 5, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Autism affects 0.1% of Iranian children, with males more commonly diagnosed. Most autistic children have co-occurring conditions like intellectual disability and ADHD, and maternal mental health issues may increase autism risk.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

  • Limited data exists on autism prevalence and comorbidities in Iranian youth.
  • A national population-based study was initiated to address this knowledge gap.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Iranian children and adolescents.
  • To identify common comorbidities associated with ASD in this population.
  • To explore potential links between maternal psychiatric disorders and ASD risk.

Main Methods:

  • A large-scale, national, population-based study involving 31,000 children and adolescents aged 6-18.
  • Utilized the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Present and Lifetime version (K-SADS-PL) for diagnosis.

Main Results:

  • Autism prevalence was found to be 0.1% (10 per 10,000) with a 2:1 male-to-female ratio.
  • 86% of individuals with autism presented with at least one comorbid condition.
  • The most frequent comorbidities included intellectual disability (70.3%), epilepsy (29.7%), enuresis (27%), and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (21.62%).
  • Maternal personality disorders were associated with an increased risk of autism.

Conclusions:

  • This study highlights significant prevalence rates of autism and its comorbidities among Iranian youth.
  • A correlation was identified between certain maternal psychiatric disorders and the risk of developing autism.
Abstract

Keywords:
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorderAutismComorbidityEpilepsyIntellectual disabilityPrevalence

More Related Videos

Generating a Reproducible Model of Mid-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation using PolyI:C to Study Susceptibility and Resilience in Offspring09:09

Generating a Reproducible Model of Mid-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation using PolyI:C to Study Susceptibility and Resilience in Offspring

Published on: August 17, 2022

2.2K
Strategies for Assessing Autistic-Like Behaviors in Mice07:38

Strategies for Assessing Autistic-Like Behaviors in Mice

Published on: September 20, 2024

2.1K

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.
863
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)01:27

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...
813
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....
692
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
428
Modeling in Therapy01:26

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
344
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
1.7K