title: Differences in autism spectrum disorders incidence by sub-populations in Israel 1992-2009: a total population study.
abstract: We analyzed data from the Israeli National Insurance Institute (NII). Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) incidence was calculated for all children born in Israel 1992-2009, and by population groups. Overall, 9,109 ASD cases among 2,431,649 children were identified. ASD cumulative incidence by age 8 years increased 10-fold during 2000-2011, from 0.49% to 0.49%, while other child disabilities in NII increased only 1.65-fold. There was a consistent increase in ASD incidence with advancing birth cohorts born 1992-2004, stabilizing among those born 2005-2009. ASD rates among Israeli Arabs were substantially lower, and increased about 10 years later than the general population. The findings suggest a role for ASD awareness, accessing of the government benefit, or the way the concept of ASD is perceived.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Dr., Boston, MA, 02215, USA, rraz@hsph.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Raanan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raz
authors.forename: Marc G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Weisskopf
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davidovitch
authors.forename: Ofir
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Hagai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence