Risk factors for autism spectrum disorders A single-center observational study.
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Abstract
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social and language difficulties and stereotyped behavioral patterns. The high etiological complexity of these diseases is due to their multifactorial nature.
Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, retrospective, and analytical study was conducted using a mixed data collection technique. The sample included 126 patients diagnosed with ASD treated at Francisco Icaza Bustamante Hospital between 2019 and 2022.
Results: A total of 77.0% (n= 97) of the participants were male, and 23.0% (n= 29) were female. The mean age of the sample was 9.26 years (SD: 4.08), while the mean age at diagnosis was 2.38 years (SD: 1.91). The associations between Asperger syndrome and male sex were determined by the Pearson chi-square test (P = 0.007), likelihood ratio (P = 0.002), and Fisher’s exact test (P = 0.038).
Conclusions: Male sex predominated in the sample. The mean age at diagnosis complied with the recommendations of the Clinical Practice Guide for ASD. The high percentage of concomitant disabilities suggests the need for multidisciplinary interventions. Finally, a significant association was identified between Asperger syndrome and male sex.
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