Incidence of developmental disorders and special educational needs and disabilities in children in the UK

Aim: To investigate the incidence of developmental disorders (including cerebral palsy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder) and special educational needs provision and to explore associations with gestational age and ethnicity. Method: Cumulative incidence of developmental disorders and special educational needs provision up to age 12 years/end of school year 7 respectively was explored using multivariable logistic regression in the Born in Bradford cohort, UK. Incidence rates of individual developmental disorders were calculated. Results: There were 13 172 children included in the analysis cohort. Birth before full term was associated with increased odds of developmental disorder compared with birth at full term: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for those born before 34 weeks 2.22 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.58–3.12); 34 to 36 weeks aOR 1.43 (95% CI 1.12–1.81); 37 to 38 weeks aOR 1.18 (95% CI 1.03–1.34). Effect sizes were larger among Pakistani heritage children: aOR for those born before 34 weeks 2.59 (95% CI 1.55–4.33); 34 to 36 weeks aOR 1.57 (95% CI 1.08–2.27); 37 to 38 weeks aOR 1.29 (95% CI 1.06–1.56). Unadjusted incidence rates of developmental disorders varied with ethnicity; compared with Pakistani heritage children, White British children had higher rates (per 1000 person-years) of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (1.8, 95% CI 1.5–2.1 vs. 0.3, 95% CI 0.2–0.4), and lower incidences of learning disabilities (0.7, 95% CI 0.5–1.0 vs. 1.6, 95% CI 1.4–1.9). Interpretation: Irrespective of ethnicity, children born before full term are at increased risk of developmental disorders and/or special educational needs.