Epidemiological Screening for the Risk of Mental, Behavioral and Developmental Disorders, Including Autism, in Early...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Medicine
• Developmental Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders (MBDDs) pose a significant challenge in early childhood.
• Early identification and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes in children with MBDDs, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Purpose of the Study:

• To screen a general pediatric population in nine Russian regions for MBDD risk, including ASD.
• To determine the prevalence of MBDD risk, diagnosed MBDDs, and ASD in young children.
• To inform the integration of screening into primary care.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an original screening tool to assess children aged 18-48 months.
• Conducted screening across nine diverse Russian regions.
• Collected data on risk for MBDDs, verified MBDD cases, and diagnosed ASD.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of MBDD risk was 13.07% (1307:10,000).
• Prevalence of clinically verified MBDDs was 1.51% (151:10,000).
• Prevalence of ASD was 0.18% (18:10,000).

Conclusions:

• Screening for MBDD risk, including ASD, in the general pediatric population is feasible and valuable.
• Screening procedures have been integrated into the Russian primary care system since late 2019.
• This screening approach represents a promising strategy in preventive medicine for early childhood disorders.