The National Prevalence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Their Associations With Health Conditions Among General Junior High School Students in China: Findings From the China Education Panel Survey

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) remain poorly understood in adolescents, particularly in middle-income countries like China. To assess NDDs prevalence and their associations with health conditions among Chinese general junior high school students, data from the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS, 2013-2015) were used. A total of 8324 junior high school students were included. Validated questionnaires and tests assessed NDDs (autism spectrum disorder [ASD], language disorder [LD], and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]) and health conditions (physical health through overweight/obesity and myopia; mental health through anxiety symptoms and depression symptoms; cognitive functioning through academic performance and cognitive ability; adherence to social norms). Of 8324 participants, 299 (4.59%) had NDDs. Students with NDDs showed higher rates of anxiety symptoms and poor cognitive ability compared to those without NDDs. Specific NDD associations included anxiety symptoms with LD and ADHD, depression symptoms with ASD and ADHD, and poor cognitive ability with ASD and LD. Sex-specific disparities were observed in the associations: the link between NDDs and depression symptoms was evident solely in boys, whereas the association between NDDs and academic performance was significant only in girls. Increased surveillance of NDDs prevalence nationwide and improved support services through better integration of families, schools, and society are needed.