2019 to 2021 Saw Increase in Prevalence of Developmental Disability

THURSDAY, July 13, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- The prevalence of any diagnosed developmental disability increased in children aged 3 to 17 years during 2019 to 2021, according to a July data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

Benjamin Zablotsky, Ph.D., from the National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Maryland, and colleagues used data from the 2019 to 2021 National Health Interview Survey to provide updated prevalence estimates for diagnosed autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and other developmental delay among children aged 3 to 17 years.

The researchers found that the prevalence of any diagnosed developmental disability in children aged 3 to 17 years increased from 7.40 to 8.56 percent during 2019 to 2021. Compared with other race and Hispanic origin groups, the prevalence of any developmental disability was lowest in non-Hispanic Asian children. With age, there was an increase seen in the prevalence of intellectual disability, while the prevalence of other developmental delay declined. The likelihood of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder was more than threefold higher for boys than girls (4.66 versus 1.50 percent).

"During 2019 to 2021, a significant increase in the prevalence of any diagnosed developmental disability was observed," the authors write. "However, no significant change in the prevalence of diagnosed autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability was observed over the same period."

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