title: Systemic review of the epidemiology of autism in Arab Gulf countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the current state of knowledge on the epidemiology of autism in Arab Gulf countries, and identify gaps for future research.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were used to identify relevant articles published until the 3rd of April 2013 (date of search). The search was conducted using the electronic library of King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they concerned the epidemiology of autism, conducted in any Arab Gulf country, and published in English.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria. Studies showed a prevalence ranging from 1.4 to 29 per 10,000 persons. Identified risk factors were metabolic, autoimmune, and environmental in nature. The following determinants were found as possible contributing factors for autism: suboptimal breast-feeding, advanced maternal and paternal age, cesarean section, and prenatal complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only a few studies explored the epidemiology of autism in Arab Gulf countries and none have investigated the burden of the disease on the child, family, or society. More research is needed to better identify the burden and risk factors of autism in Gulf countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Huda O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Salhia
authors.forename: Lubna A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Al-Nasser
authors.forename: Lama S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Taher
authors.forename: Ali M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Al-Khathaami
authors.forename: Ashraf A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: El-Metwally
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D009850:Oman / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers