title: The Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in West Pomeranian and Pomeranian Regions of Poland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) varies worldwide from 1.4/10 000 children in the Arabian Peninsula to 185/10 000 children of Asian population. In Europe, the highest prevalence has been observed in Sweden, while the lowest in Croatia (115/10 000 and 2-3/10 000, respectively). There have been no epidemiological studies on the prevalence of ASD in Polish population. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of ASD in children aged 0-16 years, inhabitants of West Pomeranian and Pomeranian regions.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 2514 children (2038 males, 81.1%) were included. The estimates were based on the government registries, whereas data were obtained from Provincial Disability Services Commissions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of ASD in children aged 0-16 years varies between two regions of Poland - 32/10 000 in West Pomeranian and 38/10 000 in Pomeranian region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The average prevalence of ASD was 35/10 000 children and was about 4-fold higher in males (P < 0.05). More studies are necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontobiology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skonieczna-Żydecka
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gorzkowska
authors.affiliation: Public Health Department, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pierzak-Sominka
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontobiology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Grażyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adler
keywords: autism spectrum disorders; epidemiology; prevalence; regions of Poland