663 Demographics and Diagnoses - a Paediatric Neurodevelopmental Clinic's Experience

Abstract

Background and aims: Children from ethnic minorities are likely to receive a diagnosis of autism 14 years later than non minority children and are at increased risk of developmental delay This study aims to identify referral patterns, diagnoses, family developmental history, and nationality presenting to a paediatric neurodevelopmental clinic. Methods: A review of medical records of children referred to a paediatric neurodevelopmental clinic from 2007 to 2009 was performed. Results: 342 children presented 218 (6417%) were Irish and 101 (295%) were from a minority ethnic group Of this group 54 (535%) were African The ethnicity of 23 (67%) was unknown. 118 children (345%) had a primary diagnosis of speech and language delay and 106 (31%) had a diagnosis on the autistic spectrum(ASD) 12 (35%) had behavioural problems and 16 (468%) children had a primary diagnosis of intellectual disability. 79 (231%) children had cognitive impairment 47 (137%) are awaiting completion of assessment 22 (401%) of the 54 African children, and 42 (4125%) of the total ethnic minority cohort had an ASD diagnosis 72(33%) of the Irish children had an ASD diagnosis. Conclusions: This clinic has a disproportionate number of referrals from ethnic minority backgrounds. The high number of referrals of African children is interesting, especially considering that the African community comprises 085% of the Irish population, and that 56% of births in 2004 were to African mothers Children presenting from ethnic minority backgrounds were more likely to have an ASD diagnosis than the Irish children, a feature which requires investigation