title: Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Siblings of Indian Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders.
abstract: This study determined the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in 201 siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders. Siblings were screened using Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and Social Responsiveness Scale, parent version. Screen-positive siblings were assessed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) criteria. The risk of autism spectrum disorder in siblings was correlated with various familial and disease characteristics of the index case. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in siblings was 4.97%. There was a significant effect of the presence of aggressive behavior, externalizing problems and total problems in the proband, assessed using Childhood Behavior Checklist, and the young age of the father at conception on sibling risk of autism spectrum disorder. Results of our study are in line with previous studies reporting similar prevalence but have also brought up the association with behavioral problems as a possible risk factor. Siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder should be routinely screened, and genetic counseling for this increased risk should be explained to the family.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Ankur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India drmonicajuneja@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Juneja
authors.affiliation: Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Devendra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mishra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D035781:Siblings; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers; Social Responsiveness Scale; autism spectrum disorder; prevalence; sibling risk