title: Prevalence and incidence of autism spectrum disorder in an Israeli population.
abstract: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders has been steadily rising. In most parts of the world, rates as high as 1 % are reported, including in the United States. In Israel, previously reported prevalence rates have been in the 0.2 % range, and were based on parental reporting of diagnosis. In this study, records from one of the largest Israeli Health Maintenance organizations were used to calculate both incidence and prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Israel. Israeli prevalence of ASD was calculated at 0.48 % for 1-12 years olds and 0.65 % for 8 year old children in 2010, higher than previous Israeli reports, but still lower than prevalence estimates for the US. Incidence calculations ranged from 0.65 to 0.84 per 1,000 children for children 1-12 year olds. Reasons for these differences are suggested and discussed.
authors: Child Neurology and Development, Child Development Center, Jerusalem and Shfela District, Maccabi Healthcare Services, 1 Lishanski Street, Rishon Lezion, Israel. davidom@netvision.net.il
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Davidovitch
authors: Beatriz
authors: B
authors: Hemo
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Manning-Courtney
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Fombonne
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors