Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Prevalence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Among Indigenous Children

Objective

To summarize epidemiological evidence on the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) among Indigenous children in Australia Canada, New Zealand, and the United States compared to that of non-Indigenous children.

Method

Comprehensive searches in 5 electronic databases were performed to identify studies evaluating the prevalence of NDDs among Indigenous and non-Indigenous children in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Unadjusted pooled odds ratios (pOR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated in random-effects meta-analysis by outcome and Indigenous group.

Results

From 1,274 non-duplicate citations identified, 12 studies were included in the review. Overall, cohort, ecological, and cross-sectional studies had moderate-to-high risk of bias. Meta-analysis showed no differences in the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) between American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and White children (pOR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.79, 1.33). In addition, there were no differences in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) between Australian Aboriginal children and non-Aboriginal children (pOR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.11, 1.58). Non-Indigenous children were found to have higher ASD prevalence compared to Indigenous children in Canada. Some evidence suggests a greater burden of intellectual disabilities affecting Indigenous children in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, and specific learning disorders among AI/AN children in the United States.

Conclusion

Limited evidence suggests a difference in prevalence for specific NDD between Indigenous children and non-Indigenous children in countries with similar colonial histories. More epidemiological research adopting an Indigenous lens in the screening and assessment of NDD is required to better understand the burden of NDDs in Indigenous children.

Plain language summary

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) may disproportionately impact Indigenous children compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the prevalence of NDDs among the two groups. A limited body of literature found some differences in NDDs between the two groups underscoring the need for more high-quality research to better understand the burden of NDDs among Indigenous children.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our reference list. We actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our author group.

Study preregistration information

Prevalence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders among Indigenous Children: A Systematic Review; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42021238669