Context

The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up (M-CHAT-R/F) is used worldwide to screen for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Objective

To calculate psychometric properties of the M-CHAT-R/F for subsequent diagnosis of ASD.

Data sources

Systematic searches of Medline, Embase, SCOPUS, and Trip Pro databases from January 2014 to November 2021.

Study selection

Studies were included if they (1) used the M-CHAT-R/F (2) applied standard scoring protocol, (3) used a diagnostic assessment for ASD, and (4) reported at least 1 psychometric property of the M-CHAT-R/F.

Data extraction

Two independent reviewers completed screening, full-text review, data extraction, and quality assessment, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. A random-effects model was used to derive pooled estimates and assess for between-study heterogeneity.

Results

Of 667 studies identified, 15 with 18 distinct samples from 10 countries (49 841 children) were used in the meta-analysis. Pooled positive predictive value (PPV), was 57.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 48.6-66.8, τ2 = 0.031). PPV was higher among high-risk (75.6% [95% CI 66.0-85.2]) than low-risk samples (51.2% [95% CI 43.0-59.5]). Pooled negative predictive value was 72.5% (95% CI 62.5-82.4 τ2 = 0.031), sensitivity was 82.6% (95% CI 76.2-88.9) and specificity 45.7% (95% CI 25.0-66.4).

Limitations

Negative predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated based on small sample sizes because of limited or no evaluation of screen-negative children.

Conclusions

These results support use of the M-CHAT-R/F as a screening tool for ASD. Caregiver counseling regarding likelihood of an ASD diagnosis after positive screen should acknowledge the moderate PPV.