According to a study of 220 Australian children conducted between 2011 and 2014, the immune-mediated subtype of autism may be linked to inflammation and the mother’s immune system.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a general developmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in the ability to initiate and maintain social interactions and social connections, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests. It happens to one in sixty-eight people worldwide. Maternal immune activation has been highlighted as a factor that can increase the risk of developing these disorders; however, this new study is believed to be the first to link such a factor in the mother to developmental disorders in children. Maternal immune activation is defined as an active immune response during pregnancy, which can be triggered by an external event such as infection or autoimmune disorders, as well as the presence of asthma and allergies. largely unknown, but research suggests that the immune system-mediated subtype in autism spectrum disorders may be due to changes in maternal and/or child levels of cytokines,
chemokines , or antibodies. An animal model study has shown that immune activation during pregnancy induces ASD-like phenotypes in the offspring, supporting the hypothesis. Children enrolled in the study were diagnosed with autism using simple questions and activity tests designed to monitor communication, social, and stereotyped skills and behaviors relevant to the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Parents also completed a family history questionnaire, which included medical history, any diagnosed diseases or chronic conditions. The results showed that the presence of allergies or asthma in the mother is associated with increased severity of symptoms in children. Maternal autoimmune conditions were not associated with increased symptom severity. The results are based on existing research demonstrating an association between maternal immune activation caused by asthma and allergies and the severity of autism spectrum disorder symptoms in children. The researchers stated that the identification of an immune system-mediated subtype in autism spectrum disorders driven by maternal health status and immune biomarkers will simplify diagnosis and treatment. The results also justify the study of biomarkers in this subgroup and represent potential new targets for immunomodulatory drugs.