Childhood Developmental Disability Rate Rose From 12.84% To 15.04% In 12 Years In USA

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Academic Journal
Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: ADHD;  Autism;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 23 May 2011 - 7:00 PDT


In 2008 one in every 6.6 children had a developmental disability in the USA, compared to one in every 7.8 twelve years before - a rise of 17% - researchers from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reported in the journal Pediatrics. Developmental disabilities are more common in boys than girls.

The researchers gathered and evaluated data from the 1997 through 2008 National Health Interview Surveys on kids aged 3 to 17 years. The Surveys are ongoing and are deemed to be nationally representative samples of American households.

The authors included data on the following parent-reported diagnoses:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Autism; seizures
• Blindness
• Cerebral palsy
• Intellectual disability
• Learning disorders
• Moderate to profound hearing loss
• Stuttering or stammering
• Other developmental delays

Below are some highlighted findings from this study:

• Boys have a higher rate of developmental disabilities than girls
• The prevalence of disabilities is lowest in Hispanic children
• The prevalence of many disabilities is higher in lower income families
• The percentage of children with a developmental disability rose from 12.84% to 15.04% over the 12-year period
• The prevalence of moderate and profound hearing loss dropped 31% over the 12-year period
• Autism prevalence rose from 0.19% in 1997-1999 to 0.74% in 2006-2008
• In 1997-1999 5.7% of children had ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), compared to 7.6% in 2006-2008. A rise of 33%

Several factors may have played a role in the increased prevalence, the authors added.

• There are more preterm births today
• More parents are having babies at an older age
• Better and more accurate screenings and diagnosis techniques exist today
• There is wider awareness and less stigma regarding some developmental disorders today

The authors concluded:

"Developmental disabilities are common and were reported in ∼1 in 6 children in the United States in 2006-2008. The number of children with select developmental disabilities (autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other developmental delays) has increased, requiring more health and education services."

"Trends in the Prevalence of Developmental Disabilities in US Children, 1997-2008"
Coleen A. Boyle, PhD, Sheree Boulet, PhD, Laura A. Schieve, PhD, Robin A. Cohen, PhD, Stephen J. Blumberg, PhD, Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, MD, Susanna Visser, MS, Michael D. Kogan, PhD
Pediatrics doi: 10.1542/peds.2010-2989

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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