Jul 2026· Islami Bank Medical College Journal· Vol 21, pp. 60-64· 0 citations· 24 references
TL;DR
The findings highlight male predominance, diagnostic delays, high prevalence of speech delay and behavioural abnormalities and significant comorbidity burden in children with ASD.
Abstract
Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) represents a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication and restricted, repetitive behaviours. Understanding socio-demographic factors and clinical features in local populations is essential for early diagnosis and intervention. Objective: To evaluate the status socio-demographic profile and clinical characteristics of children diagnosed with ASD attending a tertiary care hospital. Methods: Study was conducted at child development center (CDC) of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute on 100 children aged 1–12 years diagnosed with ASD. Socio-demographic information, developmental history behavioural profile and comorbidities were recorded. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Majority of children were males (78%). Most belonged to the 2–5 year age group (54%). Delayed speech was the most common presenting concern (82%). First parental concern appeared at a mean age of 20.5 months, Common clinical features included poor eye contact (86%), limited social reciprocity (74%), repetitive behaviours (68%) and sensory abnormalities (56%). Comorbid conditions were present in 48% most commonly ADHD (22%) and speech-language disorders (18%). Socioeconomically, 62% belonged to middle-income families and 44% had parents with graduate-level education. Family history of neurodevelopmental disorders was noted in 14%. Conclusion: The findings highlight male predominance, diagnostic delays, high prevalence of speech delay and behavioural abnormalities and significant comorbidity burden in children with ASD. Early screening and parent education programs may reduce diagnostic gap and improve outcomes.
Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impaired social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours. Data from low- and middle-income countries, particularly from North East India, remains sparse.
Aim: To estimate the burden of ASD and also to describe the sociodemographic and clinical profile of the children with ASD attending a tertiary care hospital in Tripura, India.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Outpatient Department (OPD) of Paediatrics at Agartala Government Medical College and GB Panth Hospital, Agartala, Tripura, India, from November 2022 to May 2024. The study included 32 children aged 2-12 years who visited the Paediatrician for social and communication deficits, repetitive behaviours, or developmental delays. Such children were initially screened using the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-Revised (M-CHAT-R) and subsequently confirmed with the INCLEN Diagnostic Tool for Autism Spectrum Disorder (INDT-ASD). Sociodemographic characteristics, perinatal factors, co-morbid conditions, and lifestyle histories were systematically recorded. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0.
Results: Out of 28,252 children attending OPD, 32 (0.11%) were diagnosed with ASD. Male-to-female ratio was 4.3:1. The mean age at diagnosis was 3.59±1.38 years. The majority belonged to Hindu Bengali families and the upper-middle socioeconomic class of the modified Kuppuswamy scale. Common presenting complaints were poor social communication, 19 (59.4%), language delay, 6 (18.8%), repetitive behaviours, 4 (12.5%) and hyperactivity, 3 (9.4%). Antenatal risk factors included Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH), 3 (9.4%), hypothyroidism, 3 (9.4%), and gestational diabetes, 2 (6.3%). Co-morbidities included ADHD in 24 (75.0%), intellectual impairment in 20 (62.5%), sleep disorders in 7 (21.9%), and seizures in 6 (18.8%) cases.
Conclusion: The observed burden of ASD was 0.11% among Paediatric OPD attendees of the Department of Paediatrics, with a clear male predominance, and ADHD was the most frequent comorbidity. Integration of routine screening during OPD visits may improve early recognition and intervention.
Chandana Sundaresh, S. Chakrabarti, Sribas Das et al.· Journal of Clinical and Diag...· 0 citations
Objectives: This study aims to explore the level of knowledge about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in parents aged 18–36 months. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in 354 parents with 18–36-month-old children between August 01, 2022, and January 31, 2023, in family health care centers. Participants were evaluated face-to-face with sociodemographic data and the modified early childhood screening (modified checklist for autism in toddlers [M-CHAT]) Scale. It is the assessment of ASD and a 23-question scale. Results: Of the study, 65.3% participants were female, and the mean age of parents was 34.9±5.7 years. Almost all parents reported to having heard of a disease called autism. 68.9% stated that the diagnosis should be performed by an experienced physician through clinical examination and observation, whereas 81.6% reported that they would consult a clinician immediately if their child’s speech was delayed. Another striking result emerging from our analyses was that, although the participants had heard of ASD before, the most authoritative source of information was social media. The question with the highest number of correct answers was asked whether your child should look at you when calling their name. The question with the lowest number of correct answers was that your child does not play imaginary games. Additionally as the parents' educational level of increased M-CHAT scores, of children being identified as high risk for ASD, based on significantly decreased. Conclusion: This study showed that parents had limited knowledge of autism. Educational status and having children were found to be associated with autism awareness. If the parents recognize the symptoms of autism in their child, they can seek medical help.
Tuğba Babacan Gadiş, Mahcube Çubukçu· The Anatolian Journal of Fam...· 0 citations
Background/Objectives: There is limited research on clinical profiles of school-aged children receiving a first-time diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Level 1 and mixed findings related to sex differences in phenotype. This study aimed to describe the clinical profile of school-aged children receiving a first-time diagnosis of ASD Level 1, explore sex differences in phenotype by symptom severity and symptom domain profiles, and compare parent and teacher ratings on standardized measures of social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Methods: A retrospective chart review of an ASD assessment clinic was completed. Eighty-one school-aged children were diagnosed with ASD Level 1. Measures of social, emotional, adaptive, and behavioral functioning were completed. Results: Females were significantly older at the time of diagnosis (M = 9.7 years) in comparison to males (M = 8.5 years). Additionally, over half of children diagnosed with ASD Level 1 presented with ADHD and over a third presented with an anxiety disorder. Approximately one-fourth of those diagnosed were currently taking psychotropic medication, and a substantial proportion had reported speech or language delay. Approximately half presented with food selectivity and sleep problems, with only 38% currently receiving behavioral health therapy services. Caregivers reported significantly higher internalizing symptoms and externalizing behavior on all Achenbach scales in comparison to teachers. Caregivers also reported significantly greater autism-specific social concerns. No statistically significant sex differences were found in parent or teacher ratings of domain scores. Based on caregiver reports, males demonstrated greater severity of aggressive behavior. Females displayed greater deficits in social communication and motivation based on both parent and teacher reports. Overall cognitive ability fell in the average range, while adaptive behavioral functioning was in the moderately low range. Conclusions: ASD Level 1 in school-aged children presents a distinct clinical profile marked by high rates of co-occurring conditions (ADHD and anxiety), existing academic accommodations/modifications, physician referral for evaluation, and varied symptom severity by informant type, all of which may contribute to diagnostic overshadowing and delay, especially in females.
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnosed with impairment in social interactions and communication along with the presence of restricted repetitive behaviour (RRB). These stereotypies can have a significant impact on the quality of life (QoL) of both the affected children and caregivers.Objectives: To characterize RRBs in children with ASD according to the four DSM-5 Section B domains. Specific objectives were to quantify the frequency and severity of RRB, to examine its associations with clinician-rated ASD severity and attention difficulties and to assess its relationships with the functioning of the child health-related QoL, social communication, and parental perceptions regarding the child’s condition and the impact on daily life.Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over 6 months at Teaching Hospital Kurunegala. Children diagnosed with ASD and aged 2-17 years were included. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS-25; tests for associations were done via t-test and Pearson’s correlation; significance was set at p-value of 0.05.Results: The study included 94 children with a mean age of 6.62 years and 74.5% were males. The most frequently observed RRB was pacing or moving around repetitively. Mean PedsQL score was 64.55. Moss attention rating scale (MARS) had a mean score of 64.00; 81.1% believed that doctors could help improve their child’s condition. No significant correlation was found between RRB and any component of PedsQL. Physical functioning was significantly associated with social functioning, emotional functioning, and school functioning. Social communication severity score was significantly associated with physical functioning, emotional functioning, and social functioning.Conclusions: The most frequently observed RRB was pacing or moving around repetitively. No significant correlation was found between RRB and any component of PedsQL. Physical functioning was significantly associated with social functioning, emotional functioning, and school functioning. Social communication severity score was significantly associated with physical functioning, emotional functioning, and social functioning.
S. Dalpatadu, R. D. T. Rajapaksha, K. Dalpatadu· Sri Lanka Journal of Child H...· 0 citations
A familial background of autism, male gender, premature birth, and admission to a neonatal intensive care unit were notably more prevalent in children with autism, underscoring populations who may require enhanced developmental monitoring.
M. Bashtawi, Ayah A. Al-zgool, Dima A. Al Sharman et al.· Maternal and Child Health Jo...· 0 citations
Estimating how common autism is among children aged 2 to 9 years in Northern Uganda, to identify co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions, and to explore factors that may increase likelihood of autism are carried out.
Ouma Simple, E. Estlin, Kennedy Kosko Okello et al.· Autism· 1 citation
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