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Alshaban FA, Aldosari M, Ghazal I, Al-Shammari H, ElHag S, Thompson IR, Bruder J, Shaath H, Al-Faraj F, Tolefat M, Nasir A, Fombonne E. Consanguinity as a Risk Factor for Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2023:10.1007/s10803-023-06137-w. [PMID: 37751099 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06137-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Genetic and environmental risk factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) continue to be a focus of research worldwide. Consanguinity, the cultural practice of marrying within a family, is common in cultures and societies of the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Asia. Consanguinity has been investigated as a risk factor for ASD in a limited number of studies, with mixed results. We employed registry and survey data from Qatar to evaluate the role of consanguinity as a risk factor for ASD. METHODS Data were sourced from a national registry and a population-based survey of autism recently conducted in Qatar. We selected a sample of 891 children (mean age: 8.3 years) with (N = 361) or without (N = 530) ASD. Data on consanguinity and covariates were collected through questionnaires and interviews. RESULTS The prevalence of consanguinity in the overall sample was 41.2% with no significant difference between cases and controls (42.1% vs 41.3%; p = .836). In adjusted multiple logistic regression analyses, consanguinity was not associated with risk of ASD (aOR = 1.065; 95% CI: .751-1.509; NS). CONCLUSION Parental consanguinity was not associated with autism risk in our study. Replication in other populations with high rates of consanguineous unions is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fouad A Alshaban
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Neurological Disorders Research Center, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Iman Ghazal
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Neurological Disorders Research Center, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hawraa Al-Shammari
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Neurological Disorders Research Center, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Saba ElHag
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Neurological Disorders Research Center, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - I Richard Thompson
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Neurological Disorders Research Center, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Hibah Shaath
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Neurological Disorders Research Center, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fatema Al-Faraj
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Neurological Disorders Research Center, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohamed Tolefat
- Shafallah Center for Children with Disabilities, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Eric Fombonne
- Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR, USA.
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Sher DA, Gibson JL, Sher HE. 'We've come a very, very, long way' Overcoming stigma of autism: An interpretative phenomenological analysis within the UK Jewish community. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 26:2066-2083. [PMID: 35317657 PMCID: PMC9597152 DOI: 10.1177/13623613221075099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Autistic people contend with high levels of stigma in many cultures worldwide.
There is a scarcity of literature on stigma in relation to autism in faith
communities and virtually no research focussing on this topic in Jewish
communities. In this study, we aimed to explore experiences of stigma towards
autism and sought views on what steps have and can be taken to reduce such
stigma. Using an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach, we conducted
semi-structured interviews with 10 participants within the UK Jewish community,
in both mainstream and specialist autistic schools. Interviews were conducted
over 2 months in 2020. During analysis, 5 superordinate (central) themes and 13
subordinate themes were abstracted. Superordinate themes included ‘Stigma not
specific to the Jewish community’; ‘Considerable strides made’; ‘More a lack of
knowledge or denial than stigma’; ‘Fear of stigma is a real concern but not
widely prevalent’; and ‘Potent factors that reduce stigma in the Jewish
community’. We recommend workshops for greater awareness and training for
teachers and parents on autism and autistic children’s experiences. We also
recommend the formation of specialist autism schools in other communities and
promotion of positive narratives concerning autistic people, as this
successfully reduced stigma within the Jewish community.
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Diamond G, Badir E, Almog S, Badir G, Jaoussy L, Akawi A, Jaber L. Characteristic Neuro-Linguistic Styles in Young Arabic Speaking Children Diagnosed with ASD. Child Neurol Open 2022; 9:2329048X221080271. [PMID: 35340453 PMCID: PMC8951048 DOI: 10.1177/2329048x221080271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Evaluations of all Arabic speaking children age 3–9.0 years with significant
speech delays or impairments, referred to a community based, child development
center in the public health care system during a 5-year period were
reviewed. Use of an inordinate degree of words and expressions in Fossha version of
classical Arabic, mainly used in the media, children's literature and formalized
venues, as well as in English, was highly associated with ASD, especially among
those who were both more intelligent (IQ> 70), as well as older (greater than
4 years), (Pearson 7.29, Fisher 2-tailed test, p = 0.015). The use of "out of context" speech embedded in ordinary Arabic vernacular was
associated with a higher degree of speech stereotypy (p < 0.001) among
children with ASD, and unrelated statistically to the number of hours of screen
viewing time, jargoning or associative speech. Idiosyncratic speech choices reflect neuro-linguistic mechanisms in social
communication- impaired youngsters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Diamond
- Alyn Hospital for Children’s Rehabilitation, Jerusalem
- Clalit Dan Petah Tiqva Region, Kfar Kassem center
- Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eman Badir
- Clalit Dan Petah Tiqva Region, Kfar Kassem center
| | - Shelly Almog
- Clalit Dan Petah Tiqva Region, Kfar Kassem center
| | - Gumma Badir
- Clalit Dan Petah Tiqva Region, Kfar Kassem center
| | | | - Ashraf Akawi
- Clalit Dan Petah Tiqva Region, Kfar Kassem center
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Martinot M, Giacobi C, De Stefano C, Rezzoug D, Baubet T, Klein A. [Age at diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder depending on ethno-cultural background or migratory status: A systematic literature review]. L'ENCEPHALE 2021; 47:157-170. [PMID: 33051084 PMCID: PMC7547827 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2020.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The early identification and access to health care of toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) - or at risk of developing it - is a crucial public health issue, as care and intervention may be more effective in younger children in order to improve their development and prognosis. However, there are still disparities in identification and health care access for children with ASD despite better screening methods. Given that misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis are often due to the cultural gap between clinician and patient in some psychiatric disorders such as depression or schizophrenia, we examined this question concerning ASD and wondered to what extent ethno-cultural or migratory status might have an impact on the age at which a child is diagnosed. The only published review looking for independent factors influencing age of diagnosis concludes that the factors that have been proved to play a role are: socioeconomic status; symptom severity; level of parental concern, and family interactions with the health and education systems prior to diagnosis. The impact of ethno-cultural or migratory status is less clear. And yet, all these factors may be interconnected: migrants have on average a lower socioeconomic status, minorities don't have the same access to health care, and cultural background can have an influence on what is expected of a child's development and health. In order to try and clarify this issue and to analyze the way in which the international literature approaches the subject, we carried out a systematic review. METHOD Six databases were interrogated: Pubmed, Embase, Psychinfo, WebOfScience, Cochrane and Cinahl using the key words "ASD", "pervasive developmental disorder", "diagnosis", "age", "migrant", "ethnicity", "cross cultural". We narrowed neither the period of time not selected the articles by their method, as our objective was to collect the entirety of the articles written on the subject. We completed this review by including the pertinent references made in the articles. RESULTS Twenty articles were included, all epidemiological and observational, about children diagnosed in specialized centers. Published between 2002 and 2019, they cover a 20-year research period, between 1992 and 2016. The methods are disparate: the diagnosis criteria used are from DSM IV, IV TR and ICD; data originate from medical records, phone or internet surveys, and Medicaid healthcare claims. Comparison of the age at diagnosis is the principal objective for only thirteen studies; statistical data analyses vary, especially concerning adjustments. Seventy-five percent of the articles originate from North America where the compared populations are defined by ethnic and racial categories that are not used in some other countries, notably in Europe. Only five explore the link between migratory status and age at diagnosis. The research results concerning the impact of ethnicity are contradictory, while those concerning migratory status seem to indicate that migrant children are likely to be diagnosed later. But the articles and their methods being too heterogeneous, it was difficult to make a meta-analysis and impossible to reach a scientific conclusion. CONCLUSION Nevertheless, this review highlights the existence of a lot of confounding factors and raises many issues. It shows that the United States produces most of the studies whose conclusions cannot be generalized because of the particular history and organization of this country. In Europe, where belonging to minority groups is thought to be through migratory status, studies are rare. There is an urgent need for new research in order to clarify the connection between migratory status and socioeconomic factors, to precisely define the independent variables influencing diagnosis -such as access to healthcare- and finally to explore the possibility of different symptomatic expressions depending on cultural backgrounds. This review falls within studies currently carried out by the psychiatric service at Avicenne hospital in Bobigny, France about ASD in a transcultural context.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Martinot
- GHU Paris psychiatrie neurosciences, centre médical Marmottan, 17, rue d'Armaillé, 75017 Paris, France.
| | - C Giacobi
- Hôpital Avicenne, AP-HP, Bobigny, France
| | | | - D Rezzoug
- CESP Inserm U1178, université Paris 13 EA 4403, hôpital Avicenne, AP-HP, Bobigny, France; Inserm, CESP, équipe « PsyDev », université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Villejuif, France
| | - T Baubet
- CESP Inserm U1178, université Paris 13 EA 4403, hôpital Avicenne, AP-HP, Bobigny, France; Inserm, CESP, équipe « PsyDev », université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Villejuif, France
| | - A Klein
- Inserm, CESP, équipe « PsyDev », université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Villejuif, France; Université Paris 13, hôpital Avicenne, AP-HP, Bobigny, 129, rue de Stalingrad, 93009 Bobigny, France
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Reda M, Meguid NA, Eid OM, Hussein F, Elalfy DY. Study of sensory processing deficits in autism spectrum disorder symptom triad: an Egyptian sample. MIDDLE EAST CURRENT PSYCHIATRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s43045-020-00082-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders. In DSM-IV, the diagnostic criteria of autism consisted of three domains: impairment in social interaction, communication deficits, and stereotypic behavior, while in DSM-5 they were condensed into two domains: social communication deficits and restricted patterns of behavior to which sensory processing deficits (SPD) were added, manifested by hypo- or hyper-reactivity to sensory stimuli or uncommon interests in sensory aspects of the surrounding environment. The purpose of this study is to determine the relation between SPD and the symptom triad in ASD namely social interaction, communication deficits, and stereotypic behavior. To our knowledge, this issue was not studied before in Egyptian literature.
Results
There was a significant negative correlation between SPD (assessed by short sensory profile: SSP) and symptom triad in ASD. As regards social interaction, the ADI-R (A), there was significant negative correlation with the SSP total scores and all subscales except for low energy/weak and visual/auditory sensitivity, whereas under-responsive/seeks sensation held the highest negative correlation (p ˂ 0.008). As regards communication deficits, the ADI-R (B), there was significant negative correlation with the SSP total scores and the auditory filtering held the highest negative correlation (p ˂ 0.008), and as regards stereotypic behavior, the ADI-R (C), there was significant negative correlation with the SSP total scores and all subscales except for low energy/weak and visual/auditory sensitivity whereas taste/smell sensitivity and auditory filtering held the highest negative correlation (p ˂ 0.001). There was a high significant negative correlation between the severity of autistic symptoms (assessed by CARS) and the SSP total scores, and for all subscales (p ˂ 0.001) except for low energy/weak, the correlation was significant (not highly significant) (p ˂ 0.05). Finally, there was high percentage of parental consanguinity among the participants (80%).
Conclusions
SPD negatively affected the ASD symptom triad which highlights the importance of sensory integration therapy (SIT) as a major core of ASD treatment alongside the other treatment modalities. Early ASD screening is mandatory in families with parental consanguinity.
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Kerub O, Haas EJ, Meiri G, Bilenko N, Flusser H, Michaelovski A, Dinstein I, Davidovitch N, Menashe I. Ethnic Disparities in the Diagnosis of Autism in Southern Israel. Autism Res 2020; 14:193-201. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.2421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Orly Kerub
- Department of Health Systems Management Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev Beer‐Sheva Israel
- Southern district Ministry of Health Beer‐Sheva Israel
| | - Eric J. Haas
- Southern district Ministry of Health Beer‐Sheva Israel
| | - Gal Meiri
- Pre‐School Psychiatry Unit Soroka University Medical Center Beer‐Sheva Israel
| | - Natalya Bilenko
- Southern district Ministry of Health Beer‐Sheva Israel
- Department of Public Health Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev Beer‐Sheva Israel
| | - Hagit Flusser
- Zusman Child Developmental Center Soroka University Medical Center Beer‐Sheva Israel
| | - Analya Michaelovski
- Zusman Child Developmental Center Soroka University Medical Center Beer‐Sheva Israel
| | - Ilan Dinstein
- Department of Psychology Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev Beer‐Sheva Israel
- Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev Beer‐Sheva Israel
| | - Nadav Davidovitch
- Department of Health Systems Management Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev Beer‐Sheva Israel
| | - Idan Menashe
- Department of Public Health Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev Beer‐Sheva Israel
- Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev Beer‐Sheva Israel
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Magen-Molho H, Harari-Kremer R, Pinto O, Kloog I, Dorman M, Levine H, Weisskopf MG, Raz R. Spatiotemporal distribution of autism spectrum disorder prevalence among birth cohorts during 2000-2011 in Israel. Ann Epidemiol 2020; 48:1-8. [PMID: 32778226 PMCID: PMC7419709 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Studies indicate an apparent sharp increasing trend in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) incidence and prevalence worldwide. This nationwide study aims at depicting ASD prevalence distribution in Israel in both space and time. METHODS Based on data from Israel National Insurance Institute, the study population included all children born in Israel 2000-2011 (n = 1,786,194), of whom 11,699 (0.655%) were subsequently diagnosed with ASD (until December 31, 2016). Prevalence was calculated and mapped by dividing the number of ASD cases within each year of birth by the number of births during that year, for each spatial unit, and similarly for several spatiotemporal levels of aggregation. RESULTS ASD prevalence varies substantially across different geographic areas in Israel, with considerably higher prevalence concentrated in central Israel. Strong associations were found between locality-level socioeconomic index, ethnicity, and peripherality and ASD prevalence, and even after adjustment for them, excess prevalence for ASD still persisted in certain localities. No spatial dependence of prevalence, with and without adjustment for the locality-level variables, was found (Moran's I = -0.000546, -0.00335, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide important insights regarding health disparities affecting ASD diagnosis, directing further health policy intervention and further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadas Magen-Molho
- Faculty of Medicine, Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University - Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel; The Advanced School for Environmental Studies, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Ruthie Harari-Kremer
- Faculty of Medicine, Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University - Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel; The Advanced School for Environmental Studies, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofir Pinto
- Israel National Insurance Institute, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Itai Kloog
- Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Michael Dorman
- Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Hagai Levine
- Faculty of Medicine, Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University - Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Marc G Weisskopf
- Department of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Raanan Raz
- Faculty of Medicine, Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University - Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
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Abstract
Early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children enables earlier access to services and better ability to predict subsequent development. A vast body of literature consistently shows discrepancies in the age of diagnosis between children from varying socio-economic levels, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The present study examines the effect of sociodemographic factors on age of ASD diagnosis among the three primary ethnic sectors in Jerusalem region: secular and modern religious Jews, ultra-Orthodox Jews and Arabs. Findings indicate minimal differences in age of diagnosis prior to the age of six, although Arab children of this age were largely minimally verbal. After age six, no Arab children were referred for an evaluation.
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Levaot Y, Meiri G, Dinstein I, Menashe I, Shoham-Vardi I. Autism Prevalence and Severity in Bedouin-Arab and Jewish Communities in Southern Israel. Community Ment Health J 2019; 55:156-160. [PMID: 29388003 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-018-0236-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The vast majority of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research focuses on Caucasian populations in western world countries. While it is assumed that autism rates are similar across ethnic groups regardless of genetic background and environmental exposures, few studies have specifically examined how autism prevalence and severity may differ between majority and minority populations with distinct characteristics. Therefore, we evaluated ethnic differences in ASD prevalence and severity of Bedouin-Arab and Jewish children in the south of Israel. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics of 104 children from a Bedouin-Arab minority with 214 Jewish children who were referred to the main ASD clinic in Southern Israel with suspected communication disorders. Data were obtained from medical records. Jewish children's referral rates were almost 6 times more than that of Bedouin-Arab referral rates (21:1000 and 3.6:1000, respectively). The percentage of high functioning children with ASD was much higher in Jewish than in Bedouin-Arab children (29.6 and 2.6%, respectively). Bedouin-Arab children showed more severe autistic manifestations. Moreover, Bedouin-Arab children were more likely than Jewish children to have additional diagnosis of intellectual disability (14.5 and 6.9%, respectively). Autism prevalence and severity differs markedly between the Bedouin-Arab and Jewish populations in the south of Israel. Most striking is the almost complete absence of children with high-functioning autism in the Bedouin community. A better understanding of the causes for autism prevalence and severity differences across ethnic groups is crucial for revealing the impact of multiple genetic and environmental factors that may affect autism development in each group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Levaot
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Gal Meiri
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
- Pre-School Psychiatry Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel.
| | - Ilan Dinstein
- Psychology Department, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Cognitive and Brain Sciences Department, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
- Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Idan Menashe
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ilana Shoham-Vardi
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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Oommen A, AlOmar RS, Osman AA, Aljofi HE. Role of environmental factors in autism spectrum disorders in Saudi children aged 3-10 years in the Northern and Eastern regions of Saudi Arabia. NEUROSCIENCES (RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA) 2018; 23:286-291. [PMID: 30351285 PMCID: PMC8015571 DOI: 10.17712/nsj.2018.4.20180170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the environmental factors which can contribute to the development of autism spectrum disorders in Saudi children aged 3-10 years in Northern region (Arar) and Eastern region (Dammam) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS A case control study was conducted and the data was collected from September 2017 to December 2017 by interviewing the parents of 100 Saudi autistic children and 100 normal children aged 3-10 years from Arar and Dammam. A specially designed questionnaire was used to collect the data which includes socio-demographic characteristics of the parents and ante-natal history of the mother and developmental history, social history and dietary habits of the child. To find out the association between environmental factors and development of autism in children, logistic regression with odds ratio used. RESULTS There was a significant association between consanguineous marriages and autism. A significant association was also found between medications taken by the mother during pregnancy and autism. Significantly lowered ORs for Autism were observed for children in families of perceived adequate income and children consuming a Vitamin-D rich diet. Increased maternal age was observed in autistic children when compared to normal children. CONCLUSION he environmental factors which could contribute to the development of autism are consanguineous marriage, inadequate family income, medications taken by the mother during pregnancy, vitamin D deficient diet of the child and maternal age during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anitha Oommen
- From the Department of Anatomy (Oommen), Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, and from the Department of Psychiatry (Osman), Al Amal Mental Health Complex, Arar, from the Department of Family and Community Medicine (AlOmar), College of Medicine, Department of Environmental Health (Aljofi), Institute for Research & Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and from the Department of Community Psychiatry (Osman), Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Reem S. AlOmar
- From the Department of Anatomy (Oommen), Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, and from the Department of Psychiatry (Osman), Al Amal Mental Health Complex, Arar, from the Department of Family and Community Medicine (AlOmar), College of Medicine, Department of Environmental Health (Aljofi), Institute for Research & Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and from the Department of Community Psychiatry (Osman), Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Abdelaziz A. Osman
- From the Department of Anatomy (Oommen), Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, and from the Department of Psychiatry (Osman), Al Amal Mental Health Complex, Arar, from the Department of Family and Community Medicine (AlOmar), College of Medicine, Department of Environmental Health (Aljofi), Institute for Research & Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and from the Department of Community Psychiatry (Osman), Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Halah E. Aljofi
- From the Department of Anatomy (Oommen), Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, and from the Department of Psychiatry (Osman), Al Amal Mental Health Complex, Arar, from the Department of Family and Community Medicine (AlOmar), College of Medicine, Department of Environmental Health (Aljofi), Institute for Research & Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and from the Department of Community Psychiatry (Osman), Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Kerub O, Haas EJ, Meiri G, Davidovitch N, Menashe I. A Comparison Between Two Screening Approaches for ASD Among Toddlers in Israel. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 50:1553-1560. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3711-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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12
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Meiri G, Azoulay H, Menashe I. Characteristics Associated with Drug Prescription and Compliance Among Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2018; 28:232-237. [PMID: 29266976 DOI: 10.1089/cap.2017.0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Psychotropic drugs are prescribed to people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) usually as a means to alleviate comorbidities associated with the disorder. However, despite the uncertainty regarding the efficacy of these treatments for ASD, their prevalence is continuously increasing. The goal of this study was to understand the characteristics associated with drug prescription and compliance among young children with ASD. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied patterns of drug utilization in a population-based sample of 211 young children with ASD in Southern Israel. Data regarding drug prescription and compliance (percentage of purchased drugs out of total prescriptions) were acquired from the electronic records of these patients. Compliance rates (CRs) were calculated as percentage of purchased drugs of the total number of prescriptions. RESULTS A total of 122 prescriptions were made for 75 children in our sample. Drug prescription was significantly associated with the severity of ASD and the types of comorbidity (p < 0.05). Atypical antipsychotic drugs were the most prevalent drugs (49 children; 23.2%), followed by stimulants (28 children; 13.2%) and first-generation antipsychotic drugs (16 children; 7.6%). The average CR in our sample was 75% ± 3% with about half of the children demonstrating full compliance, and less than fifth of them not complying at all with their drug prescription. CR had a positively linear association with ASD severity at a marginal statistical significance of p = 0.06. No other variables were statistically associated with drug compliance in our study. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the significant effect of ASD severity on both the prescription and CRs of drugs among young children with ASD. Further examination of drug utilization for longer periods and larger samples will help confirming our findings and test the effects of other variables on these pharmaceutical parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gal Meiri
- 1 Pre-School Psychiatry Unit, Soroka University Medical Center , Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Hen Azoulay
- 2 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Idan Menashe
- 2 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva, Israel .,3 Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva, Israel
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