Prevalence and comorbidities of autism among children referred to the outpatient clinics for neurodevelopmental disorders

Mpaka, Davin Mbeya; Okitundu, Daniel Luwa E-Andjafono; Ndjukendi, Ally Omba; N'situ, Adelin Mankubu; Kinsala, Sebastien Yabassi; Mukau, Joachim Ebwel; Ngoma, Valentin Malanda; Kashala-Abotnes, Espérance; Ma-Miezi-Mampunza, Samuel; Vogels, Annick; Steyaert, Jean

doi:10.11604/pamj.2016.25.82.4151

Prevalence and comorbidities of autism among children referred to the outpatient clinics for neurodevelopmental disorders

Author:

Mpaka, Davin Mbeya

Okitundu, Daniel Luwa E-Andjafono ; Ndjukendi, Ally Omba ; N'situ, Adelin Mankubu ; Kinsala, Sebastien Yabassi ; Mukau, Joachim Ebwel ; Ngoma, Valentin Malanda ; Kashala-Abotnes, Espérance ; Ma-Miezi-Mampunza, Samuel ; Vogels, Annick ; Steyaert, Jean

Keywords:

ASD, Kinshasa/ Democratic Republic of the Congo, comorbidity, epilepsy, intellectual disability, neuro-developmental disorders, prevalence, Adolescent, Ambulatory Care Facilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Child, Child, Preschool, Comorbidity, Cross-Sectional Studies, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Epilepsy, Female, Humans, Infant, Intellectual Disability, Intelligence, Male, Mass Screening, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Prevalence, Sex Distribution, 3202 Clinical sciences, 4203 Health services and systems, 4206 Public health

Abstract:

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has been rarely diagnosed in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although a proportion of children do present features of ASD in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), little is known about it prevalence. Often, the co-morbidities constitute the upfront symptoms and therefore may it recognition and management difficult, aggravating as such the prognosis. The present study therefore aimed at studying the clinical profile of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the associated morbidities among children and adolescents in outpatient clinics in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo.