Clinico-Socio Demographic Profile of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kashmir, India

Abstract

Background: In spite of advances in assessment and management of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) in west, developing countries including India are lagging far behind in child psychiatry, let alone ASDs. The aims of our study were to find the socio-demographic and clinical profile of children with ASDs in a child psychiatry unit. Methods and Materials: This was a Cross sectional observational descriptive study conducted in Outpatient child psychiatry clinic. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to record the socio-demographic status. The diagnosis of ASDs was made on the basis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM IV-TR) after a thorough clinical assessment which was also confirmed by consultant in charge child psychiatry. Intelligence quotient was assessed by clinical psychologist. Descriptive statistical analysis was done and presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: A total of 55 patients were diagnosed with ASDs. Most of the patients were less than 9 years with 52.73% in 4-7 years age group and 21.82% in 7-9 year age group. Males (78.18%) outnumbered females. 52.73% belonged to Nuclear Family and 63.63% were from rural background. 70.91% were staying at home. Autism was the most frequent diagnosis in 61.82% of the patients followed by Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified (PDD NOS) in 30.91%. Co-morbid mental retardation (MR) was present in 47(85.45%) of our subjects. Conclusion: 10.4% of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders were having ASDs with autistic disorder and PDD NOS representing more than 90% of these cases. Despite the growing global attention for inclusive education to these children, only 3% of our cases were receiving inclusive education and about 70% of cases were staying at home.

The Characteristics of Autistic Children Attending a Neuro-Developmental Center in Northern Sri Lanka

“…This mean age of diagnosis is slightly higher than the 35.8 months that was found in the previous study in Sri Lanka [ 6 ]. The mean age of diagnosis, as revealed by this study is much lower when compared to the findings from studies in the other parts of South and Southeast Asia, where the mean age of presentation was much higher at 5.5 years [ 10 ], 6.5 years [ 13 ], and 6.6 years [ 8 ]. However, it is higher when compared to a study carried out in Egypt and Saudi Arabia [ 11 ], in which the mean age of presentation was 1.7 years in Saudi Arabia and 2.25 years in Egypt.…”

“…This is contrary to previous studies conducted in Sri Lanka, which stated that epilepsy is among the most common co-morbidities in autistic children, with it being prevalent in 10.6% according to one study [ 6 ], and 19.8% according to another [ 18 ]. A study conducted in India [ 13 ] revealed that ADHD and epilepsy were the commonest co-morbidities. A Malaysian study [ 10 ] also concluded thus, stating that ADHD was found in 14.2% of the children and epilepsy in 9.4%.…”

Clinical profile of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in Durban, South Africa

“…In this study, one of the main findings was that of the 67 children and adolescents with ASD accessing psychiatric care, most were males (60 males; 89.6%), this being consistent with the literature. 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 The literature has reported that male children with ASD display more externalising behaviours than their female counterparts such as aggression and hyperactivity, 32 which may explain an earlier presentation to psychiatric services. Other possibilities for the male predominance may include sex-linked genetic and hormonal factors that are thought to contribute to the risk of developing ASD, for example, prenatal hormones could diminish risk in female children while promoting it in males.…”