Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Nurseries in Lebanon: A Cross Sectional Study

Monique Chaaya; Dahlia Saab; Fadi T Maalouf; Rose-Mary Boustany

doi:10.1007/s10803-015-2590-7

Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Nurseries in Lebanon: A Cross Sectional Study

J Autism Dev Disord. 2016 Feb;46(2):514-22. doi: 10.1007/s10803-015-2590-7.

Authors

Monique Chaaya¹, Dahlia Saab², Fadi T Maalouf³, Rose-Mary Boustany^{4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
² Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, PO-box 11-0236, Riad El Solh Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon. [email protected].
³ Department of Psychiatry, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
⁴ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, PO-box 11-0236, Riad El Solh Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon.
⁵ Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.

PMID: 26362151
DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2590-7

Abstract

In Lebanon, no estimate for autism prevalence exists. This cross-sectional study examines the prevalence of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in toddlers in nurseries in Beirut and Mount-Lebanon. The final sample included 998 toddlers (16-48 months) from 177 nurseries. We sent parents the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) for screening, and a self-administered questionnaire (associated factors). We imputed missing M-CHAT data with successful answers. Since there were no follow-up interviews for the M-CHAT, we used the positive predictive value (0.058) from a large study for prevalence estimates. ASD prevalence was 1 in 66 children (comparable to US). Ratios were: male/female: 1.05; Beirut/Mount-Lebanon: 1.2. Using a more representative sample and ascertaining results are needed for better prevalence estimates in Lebanon.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD); Beirut; Mount Lebanon; Nurseries; Prevalence; Toddlers.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder / epidemiology*
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Infant
Lebanon / epidemiology
Male
Nurseries, Infant*
Prevalence