Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Among 18 to 48 Month Old Children: A Multi-Center Study in Qatar

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Developmental Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Limited data exists on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence in Qatar.
• Inconsistent ASD screening methods contribute to varying prevalence rates globally.
• There is a need to understand ASD risk factors in the Qatari pediatric population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct ASD screening among Qatari children aged 18-48 months.
• To identify factors associated with positive ASD screening results.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the M-CHAT™ in primary healthcare settings in Qatar.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 600 children aged 18-48 months was conducted.
• Screening for ASD was performed using the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT™).
• Data was collected from 10 Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) across Qatar.

Main Results:

• The ASD screen-positive rate was 25.13 per 10,000 children.
• Older maternal age (10.5%) and history of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (20.0%) were significantly associated with positive ASD screening.
• The odds of detecting ASD were lower in children under two years old (AOR=0.92).

Conclusions:

• The M-CHAT™ is a useful tool for ASD screening in Qatar's PHCCs.
• Identifying associated factors can guide future interventions for ASD in Qatar.
• Further research is needed to understand the specific risk factors within the Qatari population.