Prevalence and Risk Factors of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children Aged 18-36 Months in Hubei Province, China

We recruited 15,417 participants aged 18 to 36 months in central China using a stratified, multi-stage random sampling method. For children with a positive result in Toddlers screening test, further diagnostic assessment of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) was performed using the childhood autism rating scale and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. ASD prevalence among these children was 0.58% in Hubei province. Multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models were then used to explore potential ASD risk factors. One parent aged 35 or older, preterm birth, and birth weight < 2.0 kg remained significantly associated with elevated ASD risk (P < 0.05). These findings indicated that management of adverse perinatal factors may prevent the occurrence of ASD.