The epidemiology of autistic spectrum disorders: is the
prevalence rising?
Wing L, Potter D.
Centre for Social and Communication Disorders, Elliot House, Bromley, Kent,
United Kingdom.
For decades after Kanner's original paper on the subject was published in 1943,
autism was generally considered to be a rare condition with a prevalence of
around 2-4 per 10,000 children. Then, studies carried out in the late 1990s and
the present century reported annual rises in incidence of autism in pre-school
children, based on age of diagnosis, and increases in the age-specific
prevalence rates in children. Prevalence rates of up to 60 per 10,000 for autism
and even more for the whole autistic spectrum were reported. Reasons for these
increases are discussed. They include changes in diagnostic criteria,
development of the concept of the wide autistic spectrum, different methods used
in studies, growing awareness and knowledge among parents and professional
workers and the development of specialist services, as well as the possibility
of a true increase in numbers. Various environmental causes for a genuine rise
in incidence have been suggested, including the triple vaccine for measles,
mumps and rubella (MMR]. Not one of the possible environmental causes, including
MMR, has been confirmed by independent scientific investigation, whereas there
is strong evidence that complex genetic factors play a major role in etiology.
The evidence suggests that the majority, if not all, of the reported rise in
incidence and prevalence is due to changes in diagnostic criteria and increasing
awareness and recognition of autistic spectrum disorders. Whether there is also
a genuine rise in incidence remains an open question. MRDD Research Reviews
2002;8:151-161. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
Links