Prevalence of Asthma in Children with Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine [for Girls], Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine [for Girls], Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

3 Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

4 Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

5 Department of Child Health, National Research Centre, Giza.

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory reaction and asthma in certain children with features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as well as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been reported previously.
Aim of the Work: Our primary goal in conducting this study was to look into how childhood asthma and attention deficit hyperactive disorder and childhood autism are related.
Patients and Methods: Childhood ASD and ADHD patients' peripheral immune cells were removed, and after ex vivo mitogens were activated, the generation of the cytokines IL-17, IL-13 and IL-4 was evaluated. All ASD and ADHD individuals fulfilled the requirements for identification according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth Edition (DSM-V). The level of autism was assessed using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). In order to ascertain the correlation between asthma and ADHD symptoms, generalized estimating equations were employed.
Results: Importantly, in contrast to children with ASD as well as ADHD produced considerably more IL-17 after stimulation. Additionally, individuals with ASD, ADHD and co-morbid asthma had higher levels of IL-17.
Conclusion: When T cells were stimulated, children with ASD and ADHD responded differently producing more IL-17.

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