Clinical characteristics and socio-demographic profile of autism spectrum disorder in a paediatric population from a tertiary care hospital of Gujarat

Background: To study the clinical characteristics and socio-demographic profile of autism spectrum disorder in children with mild, moderate and severe autism. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study spanned 1 year, targeting children aged 18 months to 12 years. Children aged 18 months to 3 years were screened for ASD using the M-CHAT questionnaire. Those 3 years and older were diagnosed with ASD using the INDIAN SCALE FOR ASSESSMENT OF AUTISM (ISAA) and classified into Mild, Moderate and Severe grades. Of 52 children, 47 were diagnosed by ISAA and 5 screened positive by M-CHAT. The study evaluated variables like antenatal, natal and family history of parents, child's past and social history and observed behavior, correlating these with ASD severity. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 3 years (range: 18 months to 12 years) with a female-to-male ratio of 1:4.2. Most children were moderately (46.8%) or mildly (38.3%) affected and 14.8% were severely affected. Clinical treatment and sociodemographic data were collected. No significant differences were found in mode of conception, childbirth type, labor complications or parents' history. The test was statistically significant for screen time, language delay, food selectivity, some behavioural issues in child & education of parents with the outcome of therapy. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, the increasing complexity of behavioural and sensory issues with ASD severity, the potential role of antenatal and perinatal factors and the association between specific behavioural issues and autism symptom severity.