Autism diagnoses in school-age children in southern Trøndelag 2016-2019.

Background: We have previously reported a significantly higher prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in southern Trøndelag among preschool children with mothers from a different national background than Norway. In this study, we wanted to investigate whether, in the same period and in the same geographic area, there was also an excess prevalence among school-age children. Additionally, we wanted to identify psychiatric and developmental comorbidities.

Autism spectrum disorder in preschool children in Sør-Trøndelag 2016-19.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term covering a range of conditions characterised by challenges with social interaction, restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. The prevalence of ASD has increased significantly in recent years, and there is a clinical impression of a preponderance of cases among young children whose mothers were not born in Norway.

Material And Method: The study included 142 children aged 2 to 6 years who were diagnosed with autism in the county of Sør-Trøndelag, Norway in the period 2016-2019.