Risk Factors Associated with Autism Among Children

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong non-progressive, complex neurobehavioral condition that appears at early childhood, characterized by impairments in social interaction, difficulties in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language, combined with rigid and repetitive behaviors. Objective: We aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with autism. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in Khartoum State, Sudan. A sample of 100 children was selected from Autism care centers. The study tools included direct interviews, observation and questionnaire. Result: The study revealed that about two-thirds of autistic children were males. Most autistic children showed signs of autism after completing the first year of their life. Similar siblings with autism occurred in 9%. About one-quarter of participants had a positive family history of autism and other mental disorders. About one-fifth of autistic children were dependent on artificial milk during the first six months of their lives. Most of the respondents (90%) started watching television before age one year and more than one-third of them watched television for more than seven hours/day. Two-thirds of respondents used electronic devices before having autism and 40% of them started using electronic devices at the age one year to less than two years for more than four hours/day. Conclusion: ASD is more prevalent in males and it appears in early childhood. It is associated with several factors such as heredity, social and economic factors and the early use of electronic devices by children.