Prevalencia del trastorno del espectro autista en niños con retraso en el neurodesarrollo atendidos en consulta externa del área de Pediatría del Hospital Naval de Guayaquil en el periodo de 2020-2023.

Abstract

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has shown a high prevalence in children with neurodevelopmental delays, affecting their cognitive, social, and motor development. This study evaluates the prevalence of ASD in children treated at the Naval Hospital of Guayaquil between 2020 and 2023, with the aim of analyzing comorbidities, age distribution, and levels of functionality to promote timely and tailored interventions. Methodology: A descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted on 388 children with neurodevelopmental delays. Two groups were evaluated, distinguishing children diagnosed with ASD from those with other forms of neurodevelopmental delay. Data collection was carried out through medical records stored in the institution's management system and analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 25. Results: Of the children evaluated, 65.5% were diagnosed with ASD, with the majority being between 3 and 5 years old. Most cases were associated with speech delay (37.1%) and motor delay (33.0%). Functionality levels showed that 33.8% of children with ASD were independent, while 29.9% required significant assistance. The most frequent comorbidities included gastrointestinal problems (34.5%) and sleep disorders (30.7%). Additionally, 54.2% of the children diagnosed with ASD were male. Conclusion: The study shows a high prevalence of ASD in children with neurodevelopmental delays, highlighting the importance of early detection and specialized interventions to improve the quality of life for these children. The results emphasize the need to address both the core symptoms of ASD and the associated comorbidities, especially in socioeconomically vulnerable environments.