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2025, Vol: 9, Issue: 2
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Review Article
Online Published: 04 Jan 2024
 


Prevalence and determinants of autism spectrum disorder in children in Saudi Arabia in comparison to developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Assaf Nahar Alsulami, Fahad Nahar Alsolami, Jabr Nahar Jabr Alsulami, Ibrahim Majed Alharbi, Nasser Faihan Alotaibi, Fahad Mudhhi Alotaibi.


Abstract
This study addressed the prevalence and determinants of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, with an aim to provide a comprehensive overview of global trends in ASD prevalence, considering the challenges posed by methodological variations, diverse definitions of autism, and varying diagnostic criteria among different nations. A systematic literature search yielded 3,457 studies, narrowed down to 1,834 after eliminating duplicates. The screening process, involved a meticulous review of titles, abstracts, and full-text articles, resulted in the exclusion of 870 studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria. Quality assessment identified and removed seven low-quality studies. The final meta-analysis incorporated 25 studies, presenting a diverse snapshot of ASD prevalence in developed countries. The selected studies spanned the years 2015 to 2023, ensuring a contemporary representation. The meta-analysis revealed a global prevalence of ASD in children at 0.51%, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.4% to 1%. Regional variations were observed, with Saudi Arabia exhibiting a prevalence of 1.33%, surpassing the global average. Gender disparity was consistent, with males having a higher representation, reflecting a global trend. Differences in the definition of autism, screening tools, and diagnostic criteria presented challenges in cross-country comparisons, emphasizing the need for standardized approaches in future research. This study contributed valuable insights into the global prevalence of ASD, highlighting regional variations, gender disparities, and methodological challenges. The elevated prevalence in Saudi Arabia underscores the importance of tailored interventions, while the methodological differences emphasize the need for standardization in ASD research.

Key words: Prevalence, determinants, autism spectrum disorders, children, Saudi Arabia.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alsulami AN, Alsolami FN, Alsulami JNJ, Alharbi IM, Alotaibi NF, Alotaibi FM. Prevalence and determinants of autism spectrum disorder in children in Saudi Arabia in comparison to developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC. 2024; 8(3): 1022-1029. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1703348028

Web Style

Alsulami AN, Alsolami FN, Alsulami JNJ, Alharbi IM, Alotaibi NF, Alotaibi FM. Prevalence and determinants of autism spectrum disorder in children in Saudi Arabia in comparison to developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=182436 [Access: March 17, 2025]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1703348028

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alsulami AN, Alsolami FN, Alsulami JNJ, Alharbi IM, Alotaibi NF, Alotaibi FM. Prevalence and determinants of autism spectrum disorder in children in Saudi Arabia in comparison to developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC. 2024; 8(3): 1022-1029. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1703348028


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alsulami AN, Alsolami FN, Alsulami JNJ, Alharbi IM, Alotaibi NF, Alotaibi FM. Prevalence and determinants of autism spectrum disorder in children in Saudi Arabia in comparison to developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC. (2024), [cited March 17, 2025]; 8(3): 1022-1029. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1703348028


Harvard Style

Alsulami, A. N., Alsolami, . F. N., Alsulami, . J. N. J., Alharbi, . I. M., Alotaibi, . N. F. & Alotaibi, . F. M. (2024) Prevalence and determinants of autism spectrum disorder in children in Saudi Arabia in comparison to developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC, 8 (3), 1022-1029. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1703348028


Turabian Style

Alsulami, Assaf Nahar, Fahad Nahar Alsolami, Jabr Nahar Jabr Alsulami, Ibrahim Majed Alharbi, Nasser Faihan Alotaibi, and Fahad Mudhhi Alotaibi. 2024. Prevalence and determinants of autism spectrum disorder in children in Saudi Arabia in comparison to developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 8 (3), 1022-1029. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1703348028


Chicago Style

Alsulami, Assaf Nahar, Fahad Nahar Alsolami, Jabr Nahar Jabr Alsulami, Ibrahim Majed Alharbi, Nasser Faihan Alotaibi, and Fahad Mudhhi Alotaibi. "Prevalence and determinants of autism spectrum disorder in children in Saudi Arabia in comparison to developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 8 (2024), 1022-1029. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1703348028


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alsulami, Assaf Nahar, Fahad Nahar Alsolami, Jabr Nahar Jabr Alsulami, Ibrahim Majed Alharbi, Nasser Faihan Alotaibi, and Fahad Mudhhi Alotaibi. "Prevalence and determinants of autism spectrum disorder in children in Saudi Arabia in comparison to developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 8.3 (2024), 1022-1029. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1703348028


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alsulami, A. N., Alsolami, . F. N., Alsulami, . J. N. J., Alharbi, . I. M., Alotaibi, . N. F. & Alotaibi, . F. M. (2024) Prevalence and determinants of autism spectrum disorder in children in Saudi Arabia in comparison to developed countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 8 (3), 1022-1029. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1703348028




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