Prevalence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Among Low-Income African Americans at a Clinic on Chicago’s South Side

Objective:

This study examined the point prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders among predominantly low-income, African-American psychiatric patients at Jackson Park Hospital’s Family Medicine Clinic on Chicago’s South Side.

Methods:

Using active case ascertainment methodology, the authors assessed the records of 611 psychiatric patients visiting the clinic between May 23, 2013, and January 14, 2014, to identify those with DSM-5 neurodevelopmental disorders.

Results:

A total of 297 patients (49%) met criteria for a neurodevelopmental disorder during childhood. Moreover, 237 (39%) had clinical profiles consistent with neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, and 53 (9%) had other neurodevelopmental disorders. The authors disagreed on the specific type of neurodevelopmental disorder of seven (1% of 611) of the 297 patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Conclusions:

A high prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders was found among low-income predominantly African-American psychiatric patients on Chicago’s South Side. If replicated, these findings should bring about substantial changes in medical practice with African-American patients.