TY  - JOUR
T1  - PErvasive developmental disorders in preschool children
AU  - Chakrabarti S, Fombonne E
Y1  - 2001/06/27
N1  - 10.1001/jama.285.24.3093
JO  - JAMA
SP  - 3093
EP  - 3099
VL  - 285
IS  - 24
N2  - Context 
                  Prevalence rates of autism-spectrum disorders are uncertain, and speculation
that their incidence is increasing continues to cause concern.Objective 
                  To estimate the prevalence of pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs)
in a geographically defined population of preschool children.Design, Setting, and Participants 
                  Survey conducted July 1998 to June 1999 in Staffordshire, England. The
area's 15 500 children aged 2.5 to 6.5 years were screened for developmental
problems. Children with symptoms suggestive of a PDD were intensively assessed
by a multidisciplinary team, which conducted standardized diagnostic interviews
and administered psychometric tests.Main Outcome Measure 
                  Prevalence estimates for subtypes of PDDs.Results 
                  A total of 97 children (79.4% male) were confirmed to have a PDD. The
prevalence of PDDs was estimated to be 62.6 (95% confidence interval, 50.8-76.3)
per 10 000 children. Prevalences were 16.8 per 10 000 for autistic
disorder and 45.8 per 10 000 for other PDDs. The mean age at diagnosis
was 41 months, and 81% were originally referred by health visitors (nurse
specialists). Of the 97 children with a PDD, 25.8% had some degree of mental
retardation and 9.3% had an associated medical condition.Conclusions 
                  Our results suggest that rates of PDD are higher than previously reported.
Methodological limitations in existing epidemiological investigations preclude
interpretation of recent high rates as indicative of increased incidence of
these disorders although this hypothesis requires further rigorous testing.
Attention is nevertheless drawn to the important needs of a substantial minority
of preschool children.
SN  - 0098-7484
M3  - doi: 10.1001/jama.285.24.3093
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.285.24.3093
ER  -