Birth weight and gestational age characteristics of children with autism, including a comparison with other developmental disabilities.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to compare the birth weight and gestational age distributions and prevalence rates of autism with those of other developmental disabilities and to estimate the birth weight-and gestational age-specific risks for autism.

Methods: For the first objective, a retrospective cohort of children born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1981-1993 who survived to 3 years of age was identified through vital records. Children in the cohort who had developmental disabilities (autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, or vision impairment) and were still residing in metropolitan Atlanta at 3 to 10 years of age were identified through the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program.

Sociodemographic risk factors for autism in a US metropolitan area.

The present study examined the association between autism and sociodemographic factors, overall and in subgroups of children with autism with and without mental retardation (Autism/MR and Autism/No MR, respectively); the association was further examined in subanalyses by child's source of ascertainment to assess the presence of ascertainment bias. In the main analyses, one marker of higher social class (higher median family income) was significantly associated with autism overall. Both markers of higher social class (higher maternal education and higher median family income) were significantly associated with autism/no MR, but not associated with autism/MR.

Prevalence of four developmental disabilities among children aged 8 years--Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program, 1996 and 2000.

Problem/condition: In the United States, developmental disabilities affect approximately 17% of children aged <18 years, resulting in substantial financial and social costs.

Reporting Period: 1996 and 2000.

Description Of System: The Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (MADDSP) monitors the occurrence of mental retardation, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, vision impairment, and autism spectrum disorders among children aged 8 years in the five-county metropolitan Atlanta area (Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett).

Age at first measles-mumps-rubella vaccination in children with autism and school-matched control subjects: a population-based study in metropolitan atlanta.

Objective: To compare ages at first measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination between children with autism and children who did not have autism in the total population and in selected subgroups, including children with regression in development.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted in metropolitan Atlanta. Case children (N = 624) were identified from multiple sources and matched to control children (N = 1824) on age, gender, and school.