Prevalence of Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders Influenced By Socioeconomic Factors

What is it about?

We evaluated the socio-economic characteristics of children and young people attending two clinics of the local Community-Paediatric unit of a Mid-Eastern Scottish NHS Trust over an 12-month period. Socioeconomic factors may play a key role in the prevalence of several childhood Neuro-behavioural, developmental and psychological problems. Children living in poor socio-economic neighbourhoods are reported to be at higher risk of school drop-out, imprisonment, negative emotional states and more health-related problems when compared to their peers in more affluent settings. The children are exposed to high levels of environmental risk factors including chronic stress due to high levels of crime, discord and other threatening events.

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Why is it important?

This study confirms that the socio-economic characteristics of the children population have a significant influence on and distribution of various neurodevelopmental, behavioural and psychological disorders. The Scottish Government’s various initiatives to reduce health and wellbeing inequalities will help to reduce the overall burden of these disorders in the short- and long-terms. Poverty is considered the single biggest threat to child well being and efforts directed at reducing socioeconomic inequalities that begin in childhood are urgently needed.

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