Abstract: Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of autism spectrum disorders （ASDs） in preschool children aged 2-6 years. Methods Preschool children aged 2-6 years who participated in physical examination in a hospital in Wuhu City, Anhui Province from January to December 2019 were taken as the research object. The data were collected by questionnaire, the prevalence of ASDs was described, and the influencing factors of ASDs in preschool children in Wuhu were analyzed. Results A total of 13 482 children were surveyed, of which 12 657 children answered the questionnaire completely, 748 children with suspected ASDs were screened, and 52 cases were finally diagnosed. The prevalence rate of ASDs was 4.11‰. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that boys （OR=1.422）, premature delivery （OR=1.582）, neonatal asphyxia （OR=1.416）, children's sleep disorders （OR=1.277）, mother’s childbearing age ≥35 years old （OR= 1.271）, mother's anxiety/depression during pregnancy （OR=1.439）, and the use of special drugs during pregnancy （OR=1.322） were risk factors for ASDs in preschool children. Conclusion Boys, premature delivery, neonatal asphyxia, children's sleep disorders, elderly maternal, negative emotions during pregnancy, and use of special drugs during pregnancy are the independent influencing factors of ASDs in preschool children. For some of the factors that can be artificially intervened, corresponding measures can be taken as soon as possible.

Key words: Preschool children, Autism spectrum disorder, Autism, Pervasive developmental disorder, Mental disorder