According to a recent study, food allergies are much more
common in children with autism than in typical children. In the article “Kids
with food allergies are twice as likely to have autism,” published online in
Science News on June 8, 2018, Aimee Cunningham references a study published
online in the June issue of JAMA Network Open. [To read this article, please
click here.] This research used information from the U.S. National Health
Interview Survey from 1997-2016 that included nearly 200,000 children from ages
3-17, 1868 of whom had autism. [To read the research article, “Association of
Food Allergy and Other Allergic Conditions With Autism Spectrum Disorder in
Children,” please click here.]
Of those children with autism, 216 of them, or 11.25%, also had a food allergy, whereas only 4.25% of the typical children had food allergies. In addition, children with autism were found to also be more likely to have respiratory allergies or allergic skin conditions, such as eczema, than typical kids. Specifically, 18.73% of the children with autism had respiratory allergies, such as asthma, as compared to 12.08% of typical children. In addition, 16.81% of children with autism had skin allergies, while 9.84% of typical children had skin allergies.
In breaking down the groups of children with autism into age, gender, and ethnicity, the researchers noted some interesting trends. Skin allergies were less common in girls than in boys, and older children with autism (ages 12-17) were also less likely to have skin allergies. Respiratory allergies were also less common in girls than in boys, and white children with autism were less likely than other ethnicities to suffer from respiratory allergies. In addition, younger children (ages 3-11) were less likely to deal with respiratory allergies. However, statistics for food allergies in children with autism were significant for both genders, all ages, and all ethnicities.
While the research did not examine potential causes for the link between autism and allergies, the data suggests a connection between autism and autoimmune responses. One of the study’s co-authors, epidemiologist Wei Bao of the University of Iowa, states, “The causes of ASD remain unclear.” However, he suggests three possible scenarios: food allergies may contribute to autism, autism may contribute to food allergies, or some other factor may cause both food allergies and autism concurrently, such as immunologic dysfunction, notably autoimmune disorders and frequent infections, often seen in autism.
In discussing the immune function connection with autism, the authors suggest, “It is possible that the immunologic disruptions may have processes beginning early in life, which then influence brain development and social functioning, leading to the development of ASD.” Further, they note, “In addition, there may also be shared genetic and nongenetic risk factors influencing both allergy and ASD.”
Moreover, the researchers propose a link between autism and the gut-brain-behavior axis. Referencing the higher incidence of both gastrointestinal issues and food allergies found in autism, they hypothesize a potential chain reaction. As they explain, “Food allergy may involve alterations in the gut microbiome, allergic immune activation, and impaired brain function through neuroimmune interactions, which may finally affect the enteric nervous system and central nervous system leading to neurodevelopmental abnormalities.” Essentially, food allergies upset the gut, causing the immune system to overreact, and the autoimmune response impacts the brain negatively, causing symptoms of autism.
While I appreciate the efforts these researchers have made to connect allergies and autism, I found one statement in their article surprising: “Little is known about the association between food allergy and ASD.” For many years, parents of children with autism and many doctors know that allergies to gluten, milk products, and soy are quite common in autism. Moreover, removing these allergens from the diet often improves symptoms of autism, including digestive issues, such as diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain, which often leads to improved behaviors.
Furthermore, more research needs to be done regarding what might be the cause of the “immunological disruptions” found in autism. Clearly, some autoimmune issues exist, as indicated by the presence of food, respiratory, and skin allergies noted in this research article. Certainly, autoimmune tendencies could be inherited, but the increasing numbers of children with autism and allergies also correlates to the increasing numbers of vaccines given to children.
For example, when my mother was a child in the 1940’s, only four vaccines were recommended: smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. When I was a small child in the 1960s, only eight vaccines (smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella) were recommended. When Alex was a child in the 1990’s, the following vaccines were recommended: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, Hib, hepatitis B, and varicella. Today, small children are recommended to receive all of those vaccines plus hepatitis A, pneumococcal, influenza, and rotavirus. [Source: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: “Vaccine History: Developments by Year”]
While protecting children from disease is essential, the safety of the vaccine mechanism needs to be studied further to prevent the potential autoimmune issues found in autism. In addition to activating the immune system, which is what vaccines are supposed to do, vaccines also contain toxic substances, such as aluminum, formaldehyde, and thimerosal, as well as substances that can provoke allergic responses, such as egg protein, antibiotics, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). [Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Ingredients of Vaccines–-Fact Sheet”]
Recognizing the connections between autism and allergies is a good first step. However, determining the source of both of these increasingly common conditions is necessary to prevent more children from suffering needlessly.
Of those children with autism, 216 of them, or 11.25%, also had a food allergy, whereas only 4.25% of the typical children had food allergies. In addition, children with autism were found to also be more likely to have respiratory allergies or allergic skin conditions, such as eczema, than typical kids. Specifically, 18.73% of the children with autism had respiratory allergies, such as asthma, as compared to 12.08% of typical children. In addition, 16.81% of children with autism had skin allergies, while 9.84% of typical children had skin allergies.
In breaking down the groups of children with autism into age, gender, and ethnicity, the researchers noted some interesting trends. Skin allergies were less common in girls than in boys, and older children with autism (ages 12-17) were also less likely to have skin allergies. Respiratory allergies were also less common in girls than in boys, and white children with autism were less likely than other ethnicities to suffer from respiratory allergies. In addition, younger children (ages 3-11) were less likely to deal with respiratory allergies. However, statistics for food allergies in children with autism were significant for both genders, all ages, and all ethnicities.
While the research did not examine potential causes for the link between autism and allergies, the data suggests a connection between autism and autoimmune responses. One of the study’s co-authors, epidemiologist Wei Bao of the University of Iowa, states, “The causes of ASD remain unclear.” However, he suggests three possible scenarios: food allergies may contribute to autism, autism may contribute to food allergies, or some other factor may cause both food allergies and autism concurrently, such as immunologic dysfunction, notably autoimmune disorders and frequent infections, often seen in autism.
In discussing the immune function connection with autism, the authors suggest, “It is possible that the immunologic disruptions may have processes beginning early in life, which then influence brain development and social functioning, leading to the development of ASD.” Further, they note, “In addition, there may also be shared genetic and nongenetic risk factors influencing both allergy and ASD.”
Moreover, the researchers propose a link between autism and the gut-brain-behavior axis. Referencing the higher incidence of both gastrointestinal issues and food allergies found in autism, they hypothesize a potential chain reaction. As they explain, “Food allergy may involve alterations in the gut microbiome, allergic immune activation, and impaired brain function through neuroimmune interactions, which may finally affect the enteric nervous system and central nervous system leading to neurodevelopmental abnormalities.” Essentially, food allergies upset the gut, causing the immune system to overreact, and the autoimmune response impacts the brain negatively, causing symptoms of autism.
While I appreciate the efforts these researchers have made to connect allergies and autism, I found one statement in their article surprising: “Little is known about the association between food allergy and ASD.” For many years, parents of children with autism and many doctors know that allergies to gluten, milk products, and soy are quite common in autism. Moreover, removing these allergens from the diet often improves symptoms of autism, including digestive issues, such as diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain, which often leads to improved behaviors.
Furthermore, more research needs to be done regarding what might be the cause of the “immunological disruptions” found in autism. Clearly, some autoimmune issues exist, as indicated by the presence of food, respiratory, and skin allergies noted in this research article. Certainly, autoimmune tendencies could be inherited, but the increasing numbers of children with autism and allergies also correlates to the increasing numbers of vaccines given to children.
For example, when my mother was a child in the 1940’s, only four vaccines were recommended: smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. When I was a small child in the 1960s, only eight vaccines (smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella) were recommended. When Alex was a child in the 1990’s, the following vaccines were recommended: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, Hib, hepatitis B, and varicella. Today, small children are recommended to receive all of those vaccines plus hepatitis A, pneumococcal, influenza, and rotavirus. [Source: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: “Vaccine History: Developments by Year”]
While protecting children from disease is essential, the safety of the vaccine mechanism needs to be studied further to prevent the potential autoimmune issues found in autism. In addition to activating the immune system, which is what vaccines are supposed to do, vaccines also contain toxic substances, such as aluminum, formaldehyde, and thimerosal, as well as substances that can provoke allergic responses, such as egg protein, antibiotics, and monosodium glutamate (MSG). [Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Ingredients of Vaccines–-Fact Sheet”]
Recognizing the connections between autism and allergies is a good first step. However, determining the source of both of these increasingly common conditions is necessary to prevent more children from suffering needlessly.
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free.” John 8:32
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