Shahla Afsharpaiman , Amir Skandari , Zareian Jahromi Maryam , Shokoofeh Radfar , Shahnaz Shirbazoo , Susan Amirsalari , Mohammad Torkaman ,
Volume 72, Issue 2 (5-2014)
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii, is a mandatory intracellular protozoa, that many people worldwide are infected with. In children, the infection enters central nervous system and leads to inflammation of the gray matter. Autism, is a complex develop-mental disorder, altering social communication, with unknown origin. Neuropathologi-cal changes in autism are the same as those occurred in brain toxoplasmosis. The objective of this survey was to evaluate positive serology of toxoplasma gondii, in autistic children.
Methods: This case-control study was done on 3-12 years old children, referring to the neurology and psychiatry sub-special clinics of Baqiyatallah hospital and also autistic children of Omid-e Asr and Navid-e Asr general rehabilitation centers in Tehran, Iran. The study performed at 2012-2013. Forty autistic children were placed in the case group and 40 children, suffering from no neuropsychiatric disease or other ones, were placed in the control group. A folder, containing demographic data, type of the disor-der, onset of diagnosis and child characteristics at birth, such as time of birth (preterm/ term) fulfilled for each child. Sampling was done with 5 ml blood, for determining IgM and IgG antibody levels against toxoplasma gondii, using ELISA method. Data ana-lyzed by the software SPSS ver. 17 and descriptive and analytic analysis were done, us-ing central and dispersion indexes and also chi-Square test.
Results: The autistic group contained 34 boys and 6 girls (85 and 15 percent respectively), with the average age of 6 (±2.71) years old [minimum of 2.33 and maximum of 12]. The average age at the time of diagnosis was 4.01 (±1.87) years old. 87. The non-autistic group contained 17 boys and 23 girls (42.5 and 57.5 percent respectively), with the average age of 5.67 (±3.09) years old [minimum of two and maximum of 12]. IgM and IgG serology of all autistic children were negative, while in non-autistic group, 2.5 percent (1 child) were positive and 97.5 percent (39 ones) were negative. There were no statistically significant difference among these two groups according to the serology results.
(P=0.31).
Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference in comparing positive se-rology of toxoplasmosis, between the two groups. However, to obtain a perfect result, a larger sample size are required.
Ali Mohammad Mosadeghrad, Abolghasem Pourreza, Neda Akbarpour,
Volume 76, Issue 10 (1-2019)
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a child neurodevelopmental disorder has increased significantly during the past 3 decades worldwide and in Iran. This chronic disease does not cause premature death and there is no definitive treatment. Thus, the cost of ASD is extremely heavy and overwhelming. The purpose of this study is to calculate the economic burden of ASD in Iran.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted to calculate all-important ASD costs. Two hundred and ninety autism patients in Tehran participated in this study in 2017 with the support of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). A valid and reliable questionnaire was used to estimate direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs and indirect costs.
Results: The annual economic burden of ASD is estimated to be 223,561,841 Rials ($6,883 2014 USD) per patient in Tehran, Iran in 2017. Approximately 32%, 52% and 16% of the total cost were direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs, and indirect costs. The average ASD direct cost was $5,765 of which 38% was direct medical costs and 62% was direct non-medical costs. The average annual ASD direct medical cost was $2,215 per patient of which 70%, 16% and 7% were related to rehabilitation, medicine and doctor visit costs. The average annual ASD direct non-medical cost was $3,550 per patient of which 35% was the cost of parents’ immigration to Tehran to receive health care services. The average annual ASD indirect cost for productivity loss from unemployment or reduced work productivity was estimated at $1,118. The largest cost component was parents’ productivity loss due to caregiving (70%).
Conclusion: Autism imposes substantial direct and indirect economic effects on patients and their families. Hence, health policy makers must take the most effective measures to make best use of scarce societal resources, to reduce the cost of the disease for patients and their families and subsequently, reduce its psychosocial burden.
Moslem Taheri Soodejani , Roghayeh Torkpour ,
Volume 83, Issue 6 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents one of the most significant neurodevelopmental disorders in early childhood, where early diagnosis, particularly in children under five years of age, is crucial for effective interventions. Although global autism incidence has risen due to improved awareness, enhanced screening programs, and broader diagnostic criteria, epidemiological data from middle-income countries like Iran remain limited, especially for children under five. This study aimed to examine autism incidence trends among Iranian children under five from 1990 to 2021, stratified by sex and province.
Methods: This ecological study was conducted from October 2024 to March 2025, analyzing data extracted from the Global burden of disease (GBD) database (1990-2021). Age-specific incidence data for children under five were obtained by sex and province. Incidence rates per 100,000 population were calculated for gender and provincial comparisons. Joinpoint regression analysis assessed annual trends and identified significant inflection points. Heat maps illustrated geographical distributions, while trend graphs stratified by sex and province were generated using GraphPad Prism.
Results: The incidence rate of autism in children under five gradually increased from 1990 to 2005, followed by a sharp rise between 2005 and 2009, reaching its peak during this period. A subsequent decline was observed from 2009 to 2021. The male-to-female ratio remained consistently stable at approximately 3:1 throughout the study period and across all provinces. Notable provincial disparities were observed, with border provinces exhibiting greater fluctuations compared to central regions.
Conclusion: In contrast to the continuous global increase, autism incidence among Iranian children under five demonstrated an initial rise followed by a sustained decline after 2009. This trend may be attributed to declining birth rates, demographic shifts, evolving diagnostic criteria, improved prenatal care, and persistent challenges in early screening and case registration, alongside regional disparities in access to diagnostic services. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced early-screening programs, equitable resource distribution, and evidence-based child mental health policies in Iran.
