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Autism and autistic-like conditions in Swedish rural and urban areas: a population study
Insights
A Swedish study found a prevalence of 6.6 per 10,000 for infantile autism (IA) and autistic-like conditions (AC) in children under 10. Most cases involved mental retardation, with boys outnumbering girls in the IA group.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Previous prevalence studies for infantile autism (IA) and autistic-like conditions (AC) in Sweden have varied.
- Understanding the epidemiology of ASD in different populations is crucial for resource allocation and intervention planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of infantile autism (IA) and autistic-like conditions (AC) in a defined Swedish population.
- To investigate demographic factors, including sex distribution and intellectual functioning, associated with IA and AC.
- To examine the co-occurrence of mental retardation and signs of brain dysfunction in children with IA and AC.
Main Methods:
- Population-based screening of all children under 10 years in one Swedish urban and one rural area.
- Case ascertainment for infantile autism (IA) and autistic-like conditions (AC).
- Assessment of intellectual functioning (IQ), clinical signs of brain dysfunction, and social class distribution.
Main Results:
- A total prevalence of 6.6 per 10,000 children was identified for IA and AC.
- Infantile autism constituted approximately two-thirds of the diagnosed cases.
- Boys significantly outnumbered girls in the IA group, a disparity less pronounced in severely mentally retarded children. Nearly 90% of cases exhibited mental retardation, with most having IQs below 100. A majority also presented with clinical/laboratory signs of brain dysfunction. Social class distribution was comparable to the general population.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of IA and AC in this Swedish cohort is comparable to or slightly higher than previous regional estimates.
- Mental retardation and signs of brain dysfunction are common comorbidities in children diagnosed with IA and AC.
- The male preponderance in IA warrants further investigation, particularly in relation to intellectual functioning and potential neurobiological underpinnings.
Abstract:
The total population of children under 10 years in one Swedish urban area and one rural area was screened for infantile autism (IA) and autistic-like conditions (AC). A total prevalence of 6.6 per 10 000 was found, which is somewhat higher than in previous similar studies of the same region. Infantile autism accounted for two-thirds of the cases. Boys far outnumbered girls, but this was entirely accounted for by the IA group. The preponderance of autistic boys was less pronounced among the severely mentally retarded children. Mental retardation was seen in almost 90% of cases and only one child had an IQ exceeding 100; clinical and laboratory signs of brain dysfunction were also found in a majority of cases. Distribution by social class was no different in either patient group from the general population.