Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines
Volume 60, Issue 12, 2019, Pages 1254-1268

Prevalence and correlates of autism spectrum disorder in Qatar: a national study (Article) (Open Access)

Alshaban F. , Aldosari M. , Al-Shammari H. , El-Hag S. , Ghazal I. , Tolefat M. , Ali M. , Kamal M. , Abdel Aati N. , Abeidah M. , Saad A.H. , Dekair L. , Al Khasawneh M. , Ramsay K. , Fombonne E.*
  • a Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
  • b Center for Pediatric Neurosciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
  • c Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
  • d Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
  • e Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
  • f Department of Clinical Services, Shafallah Center for Children with Disabilities, Doha, Qatar
  • g Department of Clinical Services, Shafallah Center for Children with Disabilities, Doha, Qatar
  • h Department of Pediatrics, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
  • i Department of Pediatrics, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
  • j Department of Pediatrics, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
  • k Department of Pediatrics, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
  • l Department of Pediatrics, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
  • m Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
  • n Department of Public Health, Biostatistics and Design Unit, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
  • o Departments of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Behavioral Neurosciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States

Abstract

Background: Few epidemiological data on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) exist for Arabic countries. We conducted the first survey of ASD in Qatar, a population with high consanguinity level. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2015 to 2018 in Qatar school-age children (N = 176,960) from national and immigrant families. Children diagnosed with ASD were identified through medical centers and special needs schools. Records were abstracted and supplemented by parental interviews. Additionally, children attending 93 schools were screened; ASD case status was confirmed in random samples of screen-positive and screen-negative children. Prevalence was estimated after taking into account different sampling fractions and participation rates at each survey phase. Results: One thousand three hundred and ninety-three children already diagnosed with ASD were identified. Among 9,074 school survey participants, 760 screen-negative children and 163 screen-positive children were evaluated; 17 were confirmed to have ASD including five children newly diagnosed. Prevalence was 1.14% (95% CI: 0.89–1.46) among 6- to 11-year-olds. ASD was reported in full siblings/extended relatives in 5.9% (95% CI: 0.042–0.080)/11.8% (95% CI: 0.095–0.146) families. First-degree consanguinity in Qatari cases (45%) was comparable to known population levels. Among 844 ASD cases (mean age: 7.2 years; 81% male), most children experienced language delay (words: 75.1%; phrase speech: 91.4%), and 19.4% reported developmental regression. At the time of the survey, persisting deficits in expressive language (19.4%) and peer interactions (14.0%) were reported in conjunction with behavioral problems (ADHD: 30.2%; anxiety: 11.0%). In multivariate logistic regression, ASD severity was associated with parental consanguinity, gestational diabetes, delay in walking, and developmental regression. Conclusions: ASD prevalence in Qatar is consistent with recent international studies. The methods employed in this study should help designing comparable surveys in the region. We estimated that 187,000 youths under age 20 have ASD in Gulf countries. This figure should assist in planning health and educational services for a young, fast-growing population. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Author Keywords

Screening Arabic school age consanguinity autism spectrum disorders child regression Epidemiology Prevalence

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065660955&doi=10.1111%2fjcpp.13066&partnerID=40&md5=8474105c537caaa4f4cb437b9c6b8255
DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13066
ISSN: 00219630
Original Language: English