KUMJ | VOL. 24 | NO. 2 | ISSUE 95 | APRIL - JUNE, 2026

Clinico-demographic Profile and Associated Factors of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Sharma A, Karki U, SahR, Amatya A

Abstract:
Background Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder with symptoms manifesting in early childhood. Objective To determine the clinical and sociodemographic profile of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and identify associated factors. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Children were recruited consecutively at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Kanti Children’s Hospital, Nepal. The study duration was from 1st August 2023 to 31st January 2024. The study was approved by Institutional Review Board of Kanti Children’s Hospital. A semi-structured proforma and Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition were used to assess the children. Data were entered and analysed using IBM SPSS version 16.0. Result The sample included 145 children. Mean age of diagnosis was 44.1 months (SD ± 18.7). Majority of them were 119 (82.1%) male, 85 (58.6%) belonged to nuclear family, and 69 (47.5%) were single child. Male to female ratio was 4.5:1. The mean paternal and maternal ages at the time of conception were 32.1 years (SD ± 6.5) and 27.7 years (SD ± 5.2), respectively. Most common source of referral was doctors/ health workers 66 (45.5%), parents themselves 45 (31%) and relatives 15 (10.3%). The main reason for visit was speech delay 135 (93.1%) and poor socio emotional reciprocity 76 (52.4%). Mean childhood autism rating score was 34.9 (SD ± 4.3), with 108 (74.4%) having mild-to-moderate autism severity. Sibling status was significantly associated with autism severity (p= 0.042) as children without siblings were more likely to exhibit mild to moderate symptoms compared to those with one or more siblings. Conclusion The study shows higher rate of Autism Spectrum Disorder among males and diagnosis at an early age. Presence of a sibling may affect autism severity.
Keyword : Autism spectrum disorder, Autism severity, Children, Clinical profile, Nepal