Browsing by Author "Naik, Pooja S"
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Publication Factors Influencing Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children aged 16 to 30 Months in Urban and Rural Areas of Tumkur, India(Perinatal Society of Nepal (PESON), 2025) Bettaiah, Jamunashree; Naik, Pooja S; TR, Sunil Kumar; Kalaburgi, Riyaj AhmadAbstract: Introduction : The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been increasing globally, therefore early identification could improve the quality of life. Previous research has demonstrated that genetic and environmental factors affect brain development and have identified several factors that correlate with an increased risk of ASD. Our study aim is to investigate various factors associated with risk of ASD in children aged 16 to 30 months in Tumkur. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 toddlers aged 16-30 months and their caregivers in urban and rural parts of Tumkur. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers–Revised (M-CHAT-R) questionnaire was used to assess all participants. Results: Out of 600 children screened, six were positive with ASD-like symptoms. The mean age was 22.24±4.11 months(n=600)29.17±1.33 months in screen positive toddlers, with a male to female ratio of 5:1. Analyses showed no statistically significant association between risk of autism and breastfeeding, immunization status, parent’s education, gestational age, mode of delivery, place of delivery or socioeconomic status (p > 0.05). Conclusion: ASD signs can appear early, with diagnoses possible by 12 months. Identifying risk factors can facilitate early detection for at-risk toddlers. This study provides insights into these factors and highlights the need for further research to improve early ASD detection.