Brief Report: Estimated Prevalence of a Community Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder by Age 4 Years in Children from Selected Areas in the United States in 2010: Evaluation of Birth Cohort Effects.
We compared early-diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (defined as diagnosis by age 4 years) between the 2002 and 2006 birth cohorts, in five sites of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. In the 2002 cohort, the prevalence/1000 of early-diagnosed ASD was half the 8-year-old prevalence (7.2 vs. 14.7, prevalence ratio [PR] 0.5 [0.4-0.6]). Overall, the prevalence of early-diagnosed ASD did not differ between birth cohorts (PR 1.1 [0.9-1.3]). However, in three sites with complete case ascertainment, the prevalence of early-diagnosed ASD was higher for those born in 2006 versus 2002 (PR 1.3 [1.1-1.5]), suggesting possible improvement in early identification. The lack of change in two sites may reflect less complete case ascertainment. Studies in more recent cohorts are needed.
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. yxo2@cdc.gov.|National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Congenital and Developmental Disorders, Developmental Disabilities Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS E-86, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA. yxo2@cdc.gov.
Gnakub N
GN
Soke
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Congenital and Developmental Disorders, Developmental Disabilities Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS E-86, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA.
M J
MJ
Maenner
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Congenital and Developmental Disorders, Developmental Disabilities Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS E-86, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA.
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D
Christensen
Department of Pediatrics, Genetics and Developmental Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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M
Kurzius-Spencer
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Congenital and Developmental Disorders, Developmental Disabilities Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS E-86, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA.
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Schieve
D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015988:Cohort Effect; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D014481:United States
Autism; Autism spectrum disorder; Birth cohort effects; Community diagnosis; Prevalence