Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Home
  • Content
    • Latest
    • Archive
    • home
  • Info for
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Subscribers
    • Institutions
    • Advertisers
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Office
    • Editorial Board
  • More
    • Advertising
    • Alerts
    • Feedback
    • Folders
    • Help
  • Other Publications
    • NeuroSciences Journal

User menu

  • My alerts
  • Log in

Search

  • Advanced search
Saudi Medical Journal
  • Other Publications
    • NeuroSciences Journal
  • My alerts
  • Log in
Saudi Medical Journal

Advanced Search

  • Home
  • Content
    • Latest
    • Archive
    • home
  • Info for
    • Authors
    • Reviewers
    • Subscribers
    • Institutions
    • Advertisers
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Office
    • Editorial Board
  • More
    • Advertising
    • Alerts
    • Feedback
    • Folders
    • Help
  • Follow psmmc on Twitter
  • Visit psmmc on Facebook
  • RSS
Research ArticleOriginal Article
Open Access

Prevalence and characteristics of autistic children attending autism centres in 2 major cities in Saudi Arabia

A cross-sectional study

Heba J. Sabbagh, Basma A. Al-Jabri, Malek A. Alsulami, Lutfi A. Hashem, Ala A. Aljubour and Rana A. Alamoudi
Saudi Medical Journal April 2021, 42 (4) 419-427; DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2021.42.4.20200630
Heba J. Sabbagh
From the Department of Pediatric Dentistry (Sabbagh, Aljubour, Alamoudi), College of Dentistry (Alsulami, Hashem) and from the Department of Pediatrics (Al-Jabri), Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Basma A. Al-Jabri
From the Department of Pediatric Dentistry (Sabbagh, Aljubour, Alamoudi), College of Dentistry (Alsulami, Hashem) and from the Department of Pediatrics (Al-Jabri), Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Malek A. Alsulami
From the Department of Pediatric Dentistry (Sabbagh, Aljubour, Alamoudi), College of Dentistry (Alsulami, Hashem) and from the Department of Pediatrics (Al-Jabri), Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Lutfi A. Hashem
From the Department of Pediatric Dentistry (Sabbagh, Aljubour, Alamoudi), College of Dentistry (Alsulami, Hashem) and from the Department of Pediatrics (Al-Jabri), Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Ala A. Aljubour
From the Department of Pediatric Dentistry (Sabbagh, Aljubour, Alamoudi), College of Dentistry (Alsulami, Hashem) and from the Department of Pediatrics (Al-Jabri), Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Rana A. Alamoudi
From the Department of Pediatric Dentistry (Sabbagh, Aljubour, Alamoudi), College of Dentistry (Alsulami, Hashem) and from the Department of Pediatrics (Al-Jabri), Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • Article
  • Figures & Data
  • eLetters
  • Info & Metrics
  • References
  • PDF
Loading

Article Figures & Data

Figures

  • Tables
  • Figure 1
    • Download figure
    • Open in new tab
    • Download powerpoint
    Figure 1

    - Study Flow Diagram for included autistic centers/schools and participants. MHRSD: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Developments

Tables

  • Figures
    • View popup
    Table 1

    - Characteristics of included participants distributed according to sociodemographic variables and autism severity (N=205).

    VariableSeverity of autismTotal
    Mild (n=62)Moderate (n=106)Severe (n=37)
    Gender
      Male52 (83.9)79 (74.5)26 (70.3)157 (76.6)
      Female10 (16.1)27 (25.5)11 (29.7)48 (23.4)
      P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.162, 0.56 (0.25-1.26)0.114, 0.45 (0.17-1.2) 
    Child order
      1st child17 (27.4)30 (28.3)11 (29.7)58 (28.3)
      2nd or 3rd27 (43.5)32 (30.2)14 (37.8)73 (35.6)
      P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.320, 1.49 (0.68-3.26)0.518, 0.73 (0.28-1.86) 
      4th or more 44 (41.5)12 (32.4) 
      P-value, OR (95% CI)18 (29)0.427, 0.72 (0.32-1.62)0.959, 0.97 (0.34-2.78)74 (36.1)
    Paternal education
      High school or less37 (59.7)50 (47.2)16 (43.2)103 (50.2)
      More than high school25 (40.3)56 (52.8)21 (56.8)102 (49.8)
      P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.119, 0.60 (0.32-1.14)0.115, 0.515 (0.23-1.75) 
    Maternal education
      High school or less33 (53.2)53 (50.0)19 (51.4)105 (51.2)
      More than high school29 (46.8)53 (50.0)18 (48.6)100 (48.8)
      P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.686, 0.88 (0.47-1.65)0.856, 0.93 (0.4-2.1) 
    Family income
      <500016 (25.8)26 (24.5)11 (29.7)53 (25.9)
      5000-1500036 (58.1)64 (61.4)25 (67.6)125 (61)
      P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.53, 1.27 (0.59-2.72)0.980, 0.99 (0.39-2.5) 
      >15000 16 (15.1)1 (2.7) 
      P-value, OR (95% CI)10 (16.1)0.972, 01.06 (0.37-2.78)0.081, 6.8 (0.77-61.7)27 (13.2)
    Maternal occupation during pregnancy
      Yes10 (16.1)15 (14.2)7 (18.9)32 (15.6)
      No52 (83.9)91 (85.8)30 (81.1)173 (84.4)
      P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.728, 0.86 (0.36-2.05)0.720, 1.21 (0.42-3.52) 
    • Values are presented as number and percentage (%). OR: odds ratio, CI: Confidence interval

    • View popup
    Table 2

    - Distribution of the participants according to child autism’s severity and parental agreement to maternal factors (N=205).

    VariablesSeverity of autism (%)Total
    Mild (n=62)Moderate (n=106)Severe (n=37)
    Planned pregnancy21 (33.9)37 (34.9)8 (21.6)66 (32.2)
    P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.892, 1.04 (0.54-2.03)0.198, 10.54 (0.21-1,38) 
    Fever3 (4.8)3 (2.8)1 (2.7)7 (3.4)
    P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.53, 0.59 (0.12-3.02)0.606, 0.54 (0.05-5.4) 
    Hypertension1 (1.6)6 (5.7)4 (10.8)11 (5.4)
    P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.231, 3.66 (0.43-31.13)0.071, 7.39 (0.7-68.9) 
    Diabetic4 (6.5)6 (5.7)1 (2.7)11 (5.4)
    P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.899, 0.87 (0.23-3.21)0.433, 0.41 (0.04-3.8) 
    Maternal medication during pregnancy1 (1.6)4 (3.8)1 (2.7)6 (2.9)
    P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.439, 2.39 (0.26-21.89)0.709, 1.69 (1.03-27.9) 
    2nd hand smoking24 (38.7)35 (33)13 (35.1)72 (35.1)
    P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.449, 0.78 (0.41-1.5)0.718, 0.85 (0.37-2) 
    • OR: odds ratio, CI: confidence interval

    • View popup
    Table 3

    - Distribution of the participants according to child autism’s severity and their agreement to child factors (N=205).

    VariablesSeverity of autism (%)Total
    Mild (n=62)Moderate (n=106)Severe (n=37)
    Associated medical disorder15 (24.2)16 (15.1)9 (24.3)40 (19.5)
      P-value 0.1460.990 
      OR (95% CI) 1.8 (0.82-3.95)0.99 (0.38-2.57) 
    Type of associated medical disorder
      Epilepsy3 (4.8)10 (9.4)6 (16.2)19 (9)
      P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.289, 2.05 (0.54-7.75)0.069, 3.8 (0.89-16.3) 
      GIT17 (27.4)16 (15.1)11 (29.7)44 (21.4)
      P value, OR (95% CI) 0.055, 0.47 (0.22-1.02)0.801, 1.12 (0.45-2.75) 
      Disrupted sleep20 (32.3)31 (29.2)13 (35.1)64 (31.2)
      P-value, OR (95% CI) 0.681, 0.86 (0.44-1.71)0.770, 1.13 (0.48-2.69) 
    • OR: odds ratio, CI: confidence interval

    • View popup
    Table 4

    - Distribution of the participants according to child autism’s severity and their frequency of family history and consanguinity (N=205).

    VariablesSeverity of autism (%)Total
    Mild (n=62)Moderate (n=106)Severe (n=37) 
    Consanguinity19 (30.6)48 (45.3)13 (36.1)80 (39)
      P value, OR (95% CI) 0.063, 1.87 (0.97-3.63)0.644, 1.23(0.56-2.91) 
    Family history for birth defect13 (21.9)35 (33.0)16 (43.2)64 (31.2)
      P value, OR (95% CI) 0.098, 1.86 (0.89-3.87)0.021*, 2.87 (1.18-7.01) 
    Family history of autism6 (9.7)16 (15.1)10 (27)32 (15.6)
      P value, OR (95% CI) 0.321, 1.66 (0.61-4.49)0.029*, 3.46 (1.14-10.5) 
    Family history for other medical conditions8 (12.9)16 (15.1)5 (13.5)29 (14.1)
      P value, OR (95% CI) 0.699, 1.2 (0.4-2.99)0.930, 1.05 (0.32-3.5) 
    Other medical conditions
      CP1102
      Down syndrome1405
      Delay speech3115
      Mental disability28414
      Growth deficiency0202
      Hearing defect1001
    • ↵* Significant at p≤0.05, OR: odds ratio; CI: Confidence interval

    • View popup
    Appendix 1

    - Name of the centers that participated in part 2 of the project.

    Name of the centern (%)
    Jeddah CityMakkah City
    Eithar Center5 (3.3)0
    Nojoud Center1 (0.7)0
    Together1 (0.7)0
    Hope Center13 (8.6)0
    Alamal Almanshod Center5 (3.3)0
    Alnakheel Center11 (7.2)0
    Altanwir Center4 (2.6)4 (8.5)
    Altawasul Alnajih Center (3 centers)1 (0.7)27 (57.5)
    Tfaoul and Amal Center014 (29.8)
    Badghish9 (5.9)0
    The First Autism Center30 (19.8)2 (4.2)
    I Wii Be (3 centers)11 (7.3)0
    Joory Center11 (7.2)0
    Omnyate Center21 (13.8)0
    Skills Center1 (0.7)0
    Semsem Center31 (20.4)3 (6.5)
    Total155 (100.0)50
PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

Saudi Medical Journal: 42 (4)
Saudi Medical Journal
Vol. 42, Issue 4
1 Apr 2021
  • Table of Contents
  • Cover (PDF)
  • Index by author
Print
Download PDF
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on Saudi Medical Journal.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Prevalence and characteristics of autistic children attending autism centres in 2 major cities in Saudi Arabia
(Your Name) has sent you a message from Saudi Medical Journal
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the Saudi Medical Journal web site.
Citation Tools
Prevalence and characteristics of autistic children attending autism centres in 2 major cities in Saudi Arabia
Heba J. Sabbagh, Basma A. Al-Jabri, Malek A. Alsulami, Lutfi A. Hashem, Ala A. Aljubour, Rana A. Alamoudi
Saudi Medical Journal Apr 2021, 42 (4) 419-427; DOI: 10.15537/smj.2021.42.4.20200630

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
Prevalence and characteristics of autistic children attending autism centres in 2 major cities in Saudi Arabia
Heba J. Sabbagh, Basma A. Al-Jabri, Malek A. Alsulami, Lutfi A. Hashem, Ala A. Aljubour, Rana A. Alamoudi
Saudi Medical Journal Apr 2021, 42 (4) 419-427; DOI: 10.15537/smj.2021.42.4.20200630
del.icio.us logo Digg logo Reddit logo Twitter logo Facebook logo Google logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One
Bookmark this article

Jump to section

  • Article
    • ABSTRACT
    • Methods
    • Results
    • Discussion
    • Acknowledgment
    • Footnotes
    • References
  • Figures & Data
  • eLetters
  • References
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.
  • PubMed
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • No citing articles found.
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • Trends in COVID-19
  • Pregnancy outcomes at advanced maternal age in a tertiary Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • Clinical and ultrasonographic features in cancer risk stratification of indeterminate thyroid nodules
Show more Original Article

Similar Articles

Keywords

  • autism spectrum disorder
  • autism
  • ASD
  • Saudi Arabia
  • determinants of autism
  • autism in Jeddah
  • autism in Makkah

CONTENT

  • home

JOURNAL

  • home

AUTHORS

  • home
Saudi Medical Journal

© 2022 Saudi Medical Journal Saudi Medical Journal is copyright under the Berne Convention and the International Copyright Convention.  Saudi Medical Journal is an Open Access journal and articles published are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (CC BY-NC). Readers may copy, distribute, and display the work for non-commercial purposes with the proper citation of the original work. Electronic ISSN 1658-3175. Print ISSN 0379-5284.

Powered by HighWire