Prevalence of autism in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The prevalence of autism spectrum conditions (ASC) is 1% in developed countries, but little data are available from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. This study synthesizes evidence relating to the prevalence of ASC in these areas and assesses the effects of research methodology on prevalence estimates.

Methods

Systematic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, China Web of Knowledge and Weipu databases, as well as relevant papers published from 1987 to 2011, reporting prevalence estimates of ASC or childhood autism in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Summary estimates of prevalence were calculated with a random effects model. The effects of research methodology on the prevalence estimates were assessed using a meta-regression mode

SUBMITTER: Sun X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3643868 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature