Abstract

Summary

 To evaluate the dynamics, gender structure, and territorial concentration of reported cases of ASD (F84) and the background group F80-F99 among children aged 0-17 in the Republic of Tajikistan in 2020-2025, identifying organizational and epidemiological signs of underreporting. 
 

Materials and Methods

A retrospective descriptive and analytical study of official statistical reporting has been conducted. The unit of observation was a registered case. The absolute numbers, specific gravity, growth rates, intensive indicators per 100,000 children, gender structure, regional distribution and the concentration index "Dushanbe/other regions" were analyzed. Statistical processing included Pearson's χ2 criterion and Poisson regression; significance was assumed at p< 0.05. 
 

Results

In 2020 2025, 357 cases of F80 - F99 were registered: 186 (53.3%) among boys and 171 (46.7%) among girls. The total difference by gender was not statistically confirmed (p=0.459), but the distribution by year was significantly different (χ2=23.03; p< 0.001). The minimum F80-F99 was recorded in 2022 – 20 cases, the maximum in 2024 – 99 cases. 170 cases of ASD were registered; the intensive rate increased from 0.4 per 100,000 children in 2020 to 1.2 per 100,000 in 2025 (p< 0.001). Dushanbe accounted for 111 cases (65.3%), Sogd – 32 (18.8%), RRP – 20 (11.8%), Khatlon –  7 (4.1%), GBAO – 0.
 

Conclusion

The registration rate of neurodevelopmental disorders among children in Tajikistan remains low, but in the later years of follow – up, there is an increase in registration. The pronounced concentration of ASD in Dushanbe and low registration in some regions indicate a possible underestimation and the need for unified screening, standardization of routing, training of PHC specialists and the creation of an interdepartmental register of children at risk. 
 

Keywords

autism spectrum disorders epidemiology early detection.

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