A cross-sectional study on the quality of pediatric autism-related videos on short video platforms

This study evaluated the information quality, content characteristics, and distribution patterns of short videos concerning pediatric autism on three major Chinese platforms: TikTok, Bilibili, and Rednote. Employing a cross-sectional design, we retrieved videos using the keyword ‘’pediatric autism’’ and analyzed 279 eligible entries. We collected basic video characteristics and engagement metrics, while video quality and reliability were assessed using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN) instrument, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) criteria, and the Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI). Overall video quality was moderate, with a median GQS score of 3, but information reliability was poor, indicated by a median JAMA score of 1. Significant inter-platform differences emerged (p < 0.05): Bilibili videos were the longest, TikTok had the highest proportion of uploaders who were healthcare professionals (69.89%) and exhibited greater user engagement, whereas Rednote was dominated by individual users and contained a higher proportion of low-quality videos. Information on treatment costs was notably insufficient across all platforms. In conclusion, the quality of pediatric autism–related health information on short-video platforms varies substantially by platform, revealing a mismatch between available information and user needs. Enhancing professional content review mechanisms and encouraging greater participation by healthcare professionals could improve the dissemination of practical and reliable health information.