Prevalence Of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children In Mainland China:a Meta-Analysis

Objective:To estimate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in mainland, providing basic information and reference for further research of autism spectrum disorder.Methods:Research literatures related to the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in the mainland were systematically retrieved from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP, Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database and Pubmed,which were published by December 2014. Using R-2.15.3 statistical software to conduct included studies for the mata-analysis to estimate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder.When heterogeneity was present,sensitivity analysis was conducted to inspect possible reasons. Subgroups analyses were conducted by gender,residence,year of published and other possible factors that may affect the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder.Results:There were 23 studies considered for the mata-analysis,which had a total of 794,804 children and 77,552 patients.6 studies were included (50,574 samples,35 patients) to conduct meta-analysis of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder, which prevalences ranging from 7.32/10000 to 75.27/10000, estimated pooled prevalence were 28.80/10000(95% CI 14.22/10000 to 58.23/10000).A total of 21studies (173,084 samples 221 patients) were included for autism.And the prevalence of autism ranged from 2.78/10000 to 29.46/10000,an estimated pooled prevalence rate was 13.44/10000 (95% CI 10.27/10000 to 17.60/10000).Except different ethnics and the north and the south, subgroups by gender, age, residence, year of published and sample sources,the prevalences of them were significantly different, where prevalence of gender bias was particularly obviously, proportion of male and female prevalence was about 3-4:1.Conclusion:Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder for children in the mainland of China was about 28.80/10000, in which autism was about 13.44/10000,and there were significant differences between different subgroups, particularly obvious for gender. However there was a big difference (about 10 times) between prevalences of different studies of autism spectrum disorder in mainland China, and prevalences were much lower than foreign, highlighting the urgent need to establish and uniform methodology and diagnostic standard for estimating the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder. Only methodological quality improved, it will be possible to provide basic information and strong evidence for its prevention, treatment and deeper research in other aspects.