The screening of the risk of autism spectrum disorders in children aged 16–24 months in Russia, 2015

Abstract

IntroductionImproving the mental health diagnosis in young children is the high-priority problem in reducing the rate of child disability due to mental illnesses. In 2015, the Ministry of Healthcare (Russia) introduced the pilot project – the total screening of the paediatric population at an early age, detecting autism spectrum disorders (ASD) risk group.ObjectivesTo determine the broad range of mental disorders: from minor borderline states (states of risk) to serious mental disorders, with an emphasis on determination of ASD in children aged 16–24 months in general population.MethodsThe survey was conducted by the total screening in primary health care institutions (in the three largest regions of Russia: Volgograd, Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk regions). The screening tool: checklist for parents aimed at detection of risk of occurrence of ASD in early children, for screening in general population.Results and conclusionsDuring 2015, 34,770 parents of children aged 16–24 were questioned. Of these 4102 children or 11.8% (118:1000) formed the risk group in ASD. By the risk group in ASD predisposition (diathesis) is understood, that does not correspond fully to the clinical criteria of illness. This state of predisposition may last for several years and pass either to illness or to health.The part of the children of the risk group in ASD were consulted by psychiatrist on a voluntary basis (2774 cases). Fifteen children (0.4:1000) were diagnosed with prominent clinical disorders in ICD-10 (F84). This prevalence rate cannot be extrapolated on the general population of the children at the considered age.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Epidemiological Study on the Early Detection of Mental Disorders in Young Children in Russia

“…In Russia, epidemiological screening for MBDDs was initiated by the Ministry of Health and was carried out in two stages, between 2015 and 2019. Firstly, screening of children 16 to 24 months old was implemented in order to assess the risk of developing ASDs in the three largest Russian regions [ 28 , 29 ]. Secondly, the scope of the screening was extended, with the aim to explore the risk of developing MBDDs of different origins (including ASDs) among children between 18 and 48 months of age across nine regions of Russia (Volgograd, Kirov, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Orenburg, Tver, Chelyabinsk, Yaroslavl, and Stavropol).…”

“…In Russia, epidemiological screening for MBDDs was initiated by the Ministry of Health and was carried out in two stages, between 2015 and 2019. Firstly, screening of children 16 to 24 months old was implemented in order to assess the risk of developing ASDs in the three largest Russian regions [28,29]. Secondly, the scope of the screening was extended, with the aim of the overall sample (Figure 1a).…”

Autism Spectrum Disorders: State-of-the-Art (Review)

“…Part of them received consultation from psychiatrists (4,703 children, 61%). Evident clinical disorders (general disturbances of psychological development according to IDC-10 (F84.0; F84.1; F84.8)) were detected in 36 children (0.5%) from the risk group [88].…”

Achievements and Challenges of Autism Support System in Russia: A Multidimensional Stakeholder Survey

“…A routine practice of changing the autism diagnosis to other psychiatric diagnoses (intellectual disability, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder etc.) after the patient recaches 18 years affects not only the direct victims of this practice but the whole community, as it corrupts the data on autism prevalence in Russia, which are available currently only through extrapolations of relatively small cohort studies (Ivanov et al, 2018). A lack of structured and statistically sound information on different aspects of everyday life of people with autism and their relatives affects the general understanding of the situation, hindering the improvement of the support system.…”