The study group was all children born in Denmark between 1993 and 2004 (approx. 69,000). Children with ASD/infantile autism were identified by the Danish National Psychiatric Registry and their parents were analyzed for autoimmune diseased using the Danish National Hospital Registry.
Autism Linked to Maternal Autoimmunity
Approximately one third (1089) of the children with ASDs (3325) were diagnosed with infantile autism. Increased risk of ASDs was associated with maternal rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease. Increased risk of infantile autism was associated with maternal type I diabetes.
These associations between various autoimmune diseases and ASD/infantile autism were attributed to a combination of genetics and fetal environment during gestation.
Maternal Inflammation May Alter Fetal Development
This is another way of saying that aspects of maternal inflammation during critical phases of fetal development produce the foundation for subsequent development of ASDs. This seems to be a reasonable hypothesis, since conception and gestation require suppression of inflammation in the uterus and both of these processes are enhanced by anti-inflammatory treatments, e.g. aspirin and heparin. In addition, a common complication of pregnancy, preeclampsia (high blood pressure, proteinuria) is considered by some to be a consequence of omega-3 fatty acid depletion.
Autoantibodies Attack Fetus
Further support for autoimmunity of mothers compromising the health of the fetuses that they carry comes from a study of the binding of anti-tissue transglutaminase to placental tissue. Tissue transglutaminase is a major autoantigen in celiac (gluten intolerance) and many other autoimmune diseases, e.g. pancreatitis, prostatitis, lupus. Autoantibodies from mothers with celiac were found in the study to attach to the placental transglutaminase of their gestating fetuses. Placental abnormalities have been previously observed in mothers with a history of autoimmune disease. As the previous study indicates, maternal celiac is a risk factor for autism.
Prudence Suggests that Mother’s Avoid Sources of Inflammation
The rise in ASDs during the 1990s and into 2000s parallels the increase in inflammation-based degenerative and autoimmune diseases during that same time. The general contribution of inflammation to many diseases is being actively investigated. It would seem prudent for a pregnant family to support normal births by sticking to an anti-inflammatory diet and getting plenty of exercise.
references:
Atladóttir HO, Pedersen MG, Thorsen P, Mortensen PB, Deleuran B, Eaton WW, Parner ET. Association of Family History of Autoimmune Diseases and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Pediatrics. 2009 Jul 5. [Epub ahead of print]
Anjum N, Baker PN, Robinson NJ, Aplin JD. Maternal celiac disease autoantibodies bind directly to syncytiotrophoblast and inhibit placental tissue transglutaminase activity. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2009 Feb 19;7:16.
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