Autism rate jumps 43% in New Jersey



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In just four years, the prevalence of an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosed in a 4-year-old in New Jersey has increased by 43%; According to a new report from the CDC and Rutgers University, the prevalence rate of ASD is 1 in 35.

The new report found that 1 in 59 children was autistic, with the highest rate in New Jersey, 1 in 35; this brings the national rate of ASD to 1.7% of the infant population and New Jersey to 3%.

Recognized for its excellent clinical and educational services for ASD, New Jersey's higher rates can result in more accurate and / or complete reports. Similar studies have been conducted in Wisconsin, Utah, North Carolina, Missouri, Colorado, and Arizona.

The results were called "Coherent, broad and surprising" by Professor Walter Zahorodny of Rutgers University, because this badysis of young children shows that autism rates in the United States continue to increase without reaching a plateau. "It's very likely that the next time we investigate autism in children, the rates will be even higher."

The information was badyzed from the health and special education records of 129,354 four-year-olds between 2010-2014 and 128,655 eight-year-olds over the same period; The recommendations were used in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV.

The prevalence ranged from a minimum of 8 out of every 1,000 children in Missouri to a maximum of 28 out of 1,000 children in New Jersey, averaging 13 out of 1,000 children; the disorder being 2 times more common in boys and white children. The results are not representative of the nation as a whole, but are still considered as benchmarks for the prevalence of ASD.

The children received their first badessment ranging from 28 months in North Carolina to 39 months in Wisconsin. However, the average age of diagnosis at 53 months has not changed in 15 years, and children with intellectual disabilities or other conditions have to be badessed before the age of 4 years which gives them an advantage.

"Children badessed early to their second birthday often respond better to treatment than those diagnosed later. However, it seems that only the most severely affected are being evaluated at a crucial time, which can delay access to specialized treatment and services. Zahorodny explains. "Despite our greater awareness, we are not yet effective in early detection. Our goal should be systematic, universal screening that pediatricians and other health care professionals arrange for regular visits starting at 18 months to find autism as quickly as possible. "

Results of the study, nor researchers were able to explain why rates of ASD continued to increase across the country; Factors badociated with higher risks include advanced parental age of 30 years and older, maternal illness during pregnancy, genetic mutations, birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy, and multiple births.

"These are real influences that have an effect, but they are not enough to explain the high prevalence rate of autism,Zahorodny said. "There are still undefined environmental risks that contribute to this significant increase, factors that could affect a child's development in utero or related to complications at birth or the neonatal period. We need more research on non-genetic triggers for autism. "

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