CDC Kerala 12: Socio-demographic Factors Among Children (2–6 y) with Autism – A Case Control Study

• Published in: Indian journal of pediatrics 2014-12, Vol.81 (Suppl 2), p.129-132
• Main Authors: George, Babu, Padmam, M. S. Razeena, Nair, M. K. C., Leena, M. L., Russell, Paul Swamidhas Sudhakar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autistic Disorder - epidemiology; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Gynecology; Humans; India - epidemiology; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Pediatrics; Socioeconomic Factors
• ISSN: 0019-5456; 0973-7693
• DOI: 10.1007/s12098-014-1593-2

Objectives To compare the socio-demographic factors among children between 2 and 6 y of age with autism and a control group of normal children. Methods One hundred forty three confirmed cases of 2–6 y-old children with autism, attending autism clinic of Child Development Centre, who had a CARS score of more than 30 were included in the study. Two hundred normal children in the same age group were recruited from the well-baby/immunization clinic of SAT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. Data was collected using a structured pre-piloted questionnaire consisting of 11 socio-demographic possible risk factors. Results The multivariate analysis on socio-demographic characteristics as possible risk factors for autism has shown that (i) upper and upper middle socioeconomic status (OR: 7.13; CI: 3.26–15.57) and (ii) male gender (OR: 3.95; CI: 2.22–7.04) were significant risk factors for autism, whereas place of residence, rural (OR: 0.41; CI: 0.24–0.68) is a protective factor. Conclusions This case control study involving 143 children between 2 and 6 y with autism as per CARS criteria and a control group of 200 normal children has shown that upper and upper middle socioeconomic status and (ii) male gender are significant risk factors for autism, whereas place of residence, rule is a protective factor.