International Meeting for Autism Research (London, May 15-17, 2008): Analysis of Prevalence of Pervasive Developmental Disorders in Atibaia - SP- Brazil

Analysis of Prevalence of Pervasive Developmental Disorders in Atibaia - SP- Brazil

Friday, May 16, 2008
Champagne Terrace/Bordeaux (Novotel London West)
10:30 AM
S. H. B. Ribeiro , PDD Program, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Atibaia, Brazil
C. De Paula , PDD program, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Sao Paulo, Brazil
R. Lowenthal , PDD program, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, Sao Paulo, Brazil
M. T. Mercadante , Psychiatric department, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil
Background: Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) are characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interaction, language, and communication. The prevalence of PDD has increased in recent years; currently frequencies are 30 to 60 per 10,000. There are no epidemiological studies of PDD prevalence in developing countries.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to realize a pilot study of PDD prevalence in a neighborhood of Atibaia _ SP, Brazil. It
also describes the PDD prevalence found.
Methods: To develop this pilot study, it was selected one urban neighborhood with 1470 children, ages 7 to 12. All the PDD services, all public schools in this neighborhood and the Family Health Program team were identified and special meetings were organized with lectures and discussions about PDD. 99 children were indicated; 76 suspect’s cases between 7 to 12 years old children were evaluated. All suspected cases were evaluated based on PDD (Autism Screening Questionnaire _ASQ or Social Communication Questionnaire _SCQ) and mental health screenings (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire_ SDQ and Self-Report Questionnaire_ SRQ) and the positive cases was evaluated with diagnosis instruments (ADI-R e DSM-IV).
Results: In the screening phase, the PDD prevalence of 0.88% was found, with ratio of males to female 3:1. The 13 positives cases in ASQ (cut off point 15) were evaluated with diagnostic instruments (ADI-R and DSM-IV). 3 subjects matched PDD diagnostic criteria, meaning a prevalence of 0, 20%.
Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the prevalence of PDD in Latin American countries. The prevalence rates found was similar with others studies. It is important to conduct further studies in order to compare ours findings with others studies.
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