Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Figure 1
Literature search flowchart.
Tables
- Table 1
Summary of epidemiological studies on autism/autism spectrum disorder in the Gulf Cooperation countries.
Author, Year, Ref Country Study design Population Sample size Diagnostic criteria Main findings Prevalence studies Eapen et al, 200718 UAE Cross sectional Preschool children in UAE 694 Emirati children (aged 3 years) DSM-IV Autism-screening questionnaire gave a prevalence of 58 per 10,000, after clinical evaluation the prevalence dropped to 29 per 10,000. Presence of autistic features was associated with males, behavioral problems, and family history of developmental delay Al-Salehi et al, 200919 Saudi Arabia Cross sectional Children in Saudi Arabia 49 children diagnosed with ASD DSM-IV CARS Communication problems present in 71% of patients, consanguineous marriages 28.6%, male:female ratio 3:1, mean age at referral 6.3 years, behavioral problems present in 45% of patients. Most patients were self-referred or from primary care givers Al-Farsi et al, 201120 Oman Cross sectional All children in Oman aged 0-14 years 800,000 DSM-IV CARS Prevalence 1.4 per 10,000 (95% CI: 1.2-1.7), prevalence was 2.5 times more in males, age-specific prevalence was highest among children aged 5-9 years Al Ansary & Ahmed, 201317 Bahrain Case-control (case identification phase) All children in Bahrain Records from the only referral clinic in Bahrain from 2000-2010 (N = 100 cases) DSM-IV-TR Prevalence 4.3 per 10,000 population, with a male:female ratio of 4:1. Risk factors/Biomarkers studies Al-Gadani et al, 200924 Saudi Arabia Case-control Children with autism in Saudi Arabia (age 3-15 years) 30 cases, 30 (age and gender matched) healthy controls DSM-IV Lipid peroxidation, GSH-Px, and SOD were significantly higher in autistic patients while vitamin E and glutathione levels were lower. Vitamin C and catalase showed insignificant differences between groups. Al-Mosalem et al, 200925 Saudi Arabia Case-control Children with autism in Saudi Arabia (age 3-15 years) 30 cases, 30 (age and gender matched) healthy controls DSM-IV Significant increases in activity of Na(+)/K(+)ATPase (148.8%) and lactate levels (40%) among autistic patients Ali et al, 201127 Oman Case-control Children with autism in Oman (age 3-5 years) 40 ASD diagnosed cases, 40 controls (age and gender matched) DSM-IV CARS Serum homocysteine level among ASD patients was significantly higher than controls and reference range. Serum folate and Vitamin B12 levels were lower in autistic patients than controls El-Ansary et al, 201126 Saudi Arabia Case-control Children with autism in Saudi Arabia (age 4-12 years) 26 ASD cases, and 26 age-matched controls ADI-R ADOS 3DI Fatty acid profile in autism patients was altered compared with controls. Most saturated fatty acids showed markedly increased levels while levels of polyunsaturated acids were lower in autistic patients. Area under the curve for the receiver-operating curve for specific fatty acids ranged from 0.611 to 1.0 El-Ansary et al, 201122 Saudi Arabia Case-control Children with autism in Saudi Arabia (age 4-12 years) 25 autism cases, and 16 healthy controls (age-matched) ADI-R ADOS 3DI Autistic patients showed significantly higher blood lead level (Pb+2). Plasma levels of neurotransmitters (GABA, 5HT and DA) were elevated Al-Ayadhi & Mostafa, 201123 Saudi Arabia Case-control Children with autism in Saudi Arabia 42 autistic children and 42 healthy controls CARS Significantly elevated serum osteopontin found in 81% of autistic patients. Severe autism showed higher osteopontin than mild or moderate autism. Osteopontin levels were positively correlated to CARS scores. Al-Farsi et al, 201221 Oman Case-control Children with ASD in Oman (aged 3-14 years) 102 ASD diagnosed children, and 102 healthy controls DSM-IV CARS Increased risk of ASD was found in relation to: late initiation of breastfeeding (OR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.01-3.1) and no colostrum intake (OR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.03-4.3). Exclusive breastfeeding and continued breastfeeding up to 24 months significantly decreased risk of ASD Al Ansary & Ahmed, 201317 and Al Ansary & Ahmed, 201216 Bahrain Case-control Children with ASD in Bahrain 350 Age and gender-matched controls nocturnal enuresis, mild behavior disorder and no psychopathology DSM-IV-TR Significant association with advanced maternal age above 30 years (OR = 1.83, CI: 1.02-3.28) and paternal age above 30 years (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.15-3.7). Non-significant relation with birth order. Significant relationship with delivery by cesarean section and having mothers who suffered from prenatal complications
In this issue
Jump to section
Related Articles
Cited By...
- No citing articles found.