%0 Journal Article
%T Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Congo
%A Prince Eliot Galieni Sounga Bandzouzi
%A Ghislain Armel Mpandzou
%A Dalhia Mboungou Mandilou
%A Dina Happia Motoula-Latou
%A Josu&#233
%A Euberma Diatewa
%A Saurel Ngassaki
%A Christelle Oko-Lossambo
%A Carl Harvey Mialoudama
%A Paul Macaire Ossou-Nguiet
%J World Journal of Neuroscience
%P 143-151
%@ 2162-2019
%D 2025
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/wjns.2025.153012
%X <b>Introduction: </b>Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a public health issue due to their increasing frequency and their impact on social and relational integration. The objective was to study the epidemiological and clinical aspects of ASD in Congo. <b>Methodology: </b>It was from a prospective cohort study conducted at the neurocognitive exploration unit of the CHU-B over a period of 21 months. It concerned patients with ASD aged 3 to 16 years. Their diagnosis was made according to the DSM-V criteria. <b>Results: </b>The frequency of ASD was high (55.6%). These were dominated by childhood autism (84.9%). The mean age of onset of signs was 16.1 &#177; 5.2 months and that of diagnosis was 7.1 &#177; 2.9 years. ASD was associated with intellectual disability (75.5%) and eating disorders (48.8%). Another neurodevelopmental disorder was found in all patients: intellectual disability (75.5%), learning disabilities (75.5%) and ADHD (32.1%). Psychiatric disorders (79.2%) and neurological disorders (70.8%) were the comorbidities associated with ASD. <b>Conclusion: </b>The frequency of ASD in Congo, although underestimated, is high, dominated by childhood autism with a delay in the recognition of signs by parents. They are often associated with a learning disability and ADHD. Hence, the need for parental awareness and early screening of ASD in schools in order to facilitate socio-relational integration.
%K Autism Spectrum Disorders
%K Neurocognition
%K Congo
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=143233