FREQUENCY OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN CHILDREN AGED 16-30 MONTHS PRESENTING TO MAYO HOSPITAL LAHORE

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of autism spectrum disorder in children aged 16 – 30 months in child psychiatry OPD of Mayo Hospital Lahore.

Study Design: Cross- Sectional Study

Place and Duration: The research was conducted in child psychiatry OPD of Mayo Hospital Lahore for duration of 6 months from March 2025 to August 2025.

Methodology: A Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, (MCHAT- R/F) translated into Urdu updated with follow-up, was used to test 125 children aged 16 to 30 months. To identify the association between risk of ASD in children with gender, age of child, age of mother at delivery, medical issues during pregnancy, pregnancy duration, child’s weight at the time of birth, complications at birth Chi square test was applied.

Results: Screening results showed that 98 (78.4%) children were at low risk, 11 (8.8%) at moderate risk, and 16 (12.8%) at high risk of autism spectrum disorder. A significant association resulted between ASD Risk and age of mother at delivery, medical issues during pregnancy and pregnancy complications. The association was not statistically significant for gender, age of the child, pregnancy duration, child’s weight at the time of birth. (p> 0.05).

Conclusion: This research concluded that frequency of children at risk of ASD in sample is 21.6%, with 12.8% in the high-risk category and 8.8% in moderate risk.  These results emphasize the value of early screening as a crucial component of routine paediatric examinations in outpatient clinics.