Children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) cost the health care system more than children with diabetes or asthma.

Children with PDD also used more in- and out-patient services than children with diabetes or asthma. Psychiatric costs were higher for children with PDD and non-psychiatric costs were higher for children with diabetes or asthma. Children who received the label of PDD also used the largest amount of health care services just before diagnosis. In fact, out-patient costs before diagnosis were almost half of the total health care costs of a child with PDD. The authors note that this was a study of doctor costs only and did not include school costs.