Analysis of Ethnic Disparities in Autism Spectrum Disorder among Toddlers
For clinicians and researchers, this highlights the need for ethnicity-aware ASD diagnostic frameworks, though the findings are incremental given known demographic factors.
This study examines ethnic disparities in ASD among toddlers, finding that White Europeans have 81% increased risk and Middle Easterners 79% reduced risk compared to Asians, with neonatal jaundice and male sex also significant predictors.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges in communication and behavior. This study examines the relationship between ethnicity and ASD traits, along with behavioural scores, sex and neonatal jaundice across three ethnic groups: White Europeans, Asians, and Middle Eastern individuals. We perform a logistic regression and show that ethnicity has a significant effect on incidence of ASD. White Europeans are 81% increased risk of ASD and Middle Easterners are at 79\% reduced risk of ASD compared to Asians. We also confirm earlier studied which show that neonatal jaundice is a significant predictor of ASD, while male children are at much higher risk of ASD compared to female children. These results suggest the need for diagnostic frameworks and interventions that account for ethnic in the presentation and assessment of ASD traits