Parental autoimmune diseases associated with autism spectrum disorders in offspring.
BACKGROUND
Autism spectrum disorders are often idiopathic. Studies have suggested associations between immune response and these disorders. We explored associations between parental autoimmune disorders and children's diagnosis of autism by linking Swedish registries.


METHODS
Data for each participant were linked across 3 Swedish registries. The study includes 1227 cases and 25 matched controls for each case (30,693 controls with parental linkage). Parental diagnoses comprised 19 autoimmune disorders. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) using multivariable conditional logistic regression.


RESULTS
Parental autoimmune disorder was weakly associated with autism spectrum disorders in offspring (maternal OR = 1.6 [95% confidence interval = 1.1-2.2]; paternal OR = 1.4 [1.0-2.0]). Several maternal autoimmune diseases were correlated with autism. For both parents, rheumatic fever was associated with autism spectrum disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support previously reported associations between parental autoimmune disorders and autism spectrum disorders. Parental autoimmune disorders may represent a critical pathway that warrants more detailed investigation.
Keil
Alexander
A
Department of aEpidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, USA. akeil@unc.edu
Daniels
Julie L
JL
Forssen
Ulla
U
Hultman
Christina
C
Cnattingius
Sven
S
Söderberg
Karin C
KC
Feychting
Maria
M
Sparen
Par
P
D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
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