Autism Spectrum disorders (ASD) in South Asia: a systematic review.

Mohammad Didar Hossain, Helal Uddin Ahmed, M M Jalal Uddin, Waziul Alam Chowdhury, Mohd S Iqbal, Razin Iqbal Kabir, Imran Ahmed Chowdhury, Afzal Aftab, Pran Gopal Datta, Golam Rabbani, Saima Wazed Hossain, Malabika Sarker

Journal: BMC psychiatry 2018;17(1):281

PMID: 28826398

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders. The prevalence of ASD in many South Asian countries is still unknown. The aim of this study was to systematically review available epidemiological studies of ASD in this region to identify gaps in our current knowledge.

METHODS

We searched, collected and evaluated articles published between January 1962 and July 2016 which reported the prevalence of ASD in eight South Asian countries. The search was conducted in line with the PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS

We identified six articles from Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka which met our predefined inclusion criteria. The reported prevalence of ASD in South Asia ranged from 0.09% in India to 1.07% in Sri Lanka that indicates up to one in 93 children have ASD in this region. Alarmingly high prevalence (3%) was reported in Dhaka city. Study sample sizes ranged from 374 in Sri Lanka to 18,480 in India. The age range varied between 1 and 30 years. No studies were found which reported the prevalence of ASD in Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan. This review identifies methodological differences in case definition, screening instruments and diagnostic criteria among reported three countries which make it very difficult to compare the studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is an attempt at understanding the scale of the problem and scarcity of information regarding ASD in the South Asia. This study will contribute to the evidence base needed to design further research and make policy decisions on addressing this issue in this region. Knowing the prevalence of ASD in South Asia is vital to ensure the effective allocation of resources and services.

Address: James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, 68 Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Dhaka, Bangladesh. [email protected].; Foundation for Advancement of Innovations in Technology and Health (faith), Bangladesh, Iqbal Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh. [email protected].; National Institute of Mental Health, Bangladesh (NIMH,B), Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh.; National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital, Bangladesh (NINS,B), Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh.; Bangladesh Association of psychiatrists, National Institute of Mental Health, Bangladesh (NIMH,B), Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh.; Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), 68 Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh.; James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, 68 Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Dhaka, Bangladesh.; James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, 68 Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Dhaka, Bangladesh.; Foundation for Advancement of Innovations in Technology and Health (faith), Bangladesh, Iqbal Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh.; Shuchona Foundation, Bangabandhu Memorial Trust Building, 2nd floor, 8 Rd No 11, Dhaka, 1209, Bangladesh.; Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh.; Neuro-Developmental Disability Protection Trust, Department of Social Services Building, Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, 1207, Bangladesh.; Shuchona Foundation, Bangabandhu Memorial Trust Building, 2nd floor, 8 Rd No 11, Dhaka, 1209, Bangladesh.; Expert Advisory Panel on Mental Health; Global Autism Advocate, World Health Organization, Dhaka, Bangladesh.; National Advisory Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.; James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, 68 Shahid Tajuddin Ahmed Sharani, Dhaka, Bangladesh.; Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany.

DOI: 10.1186/s12888-017-1440-x

Link outs

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Full Text Sources:

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/autismspectrumdisorder.htm...

Other Literature Sources:

https://scite.ai/reports/28826398

Miscellaneous:

https://assays.cancer.gov/CPTAC-1496

MeSH Terms: Asian People, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Bangladesh, Humans, India, Sri Lanka