Urbanicity and autism of children in China

Abstract

ObjectivesIncreased risk of autism with the increment of urbanization has been documented in developed countries. However, very few studies in developing countries focused on this topic. By using Chinese nationally representative large dataset, we investigated the association between urbanicity and autism among children aged 0–17 years in China. Also, we analyzed whether there existed a sexually dimorphic effect on this association. MethodsData from the Second National Sample Survey on Disability (SNSSD) was used in this study, and 616,940 children was selected for analysis. Autism was measured by experienced psychiatrists according to The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision Symptom Checklist for Mental Disorders. Logistic regression models allowing for multiple demographic and socioeconomic covariates were used to evaluate the association between the level of urbanization and autism in children. ResultsCompared with children in low level of urbanization areas, those in high urbanization level areas was 2.12 (95%CI: 1.28, 3.49) times more likely to develop autism, and 1.85 (95%CI: 1.21, 2.84) times for those in moderate level of urbanization areas. Stratified analyses found that all observed associations were only in male children, not in female children. ConclusionsOur findings suggested that higher level of urbanicity was associated with higher risk of autism in children. This association was only present in male children, not in female children.