title: Family history of autoimmune diseases is associated with an increased risk of autism in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the current evidence on the relationship between family history of autoimmune diseases (ADs) and risk of autism in children, as current evidence suggests inconsistent results.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified relevant studies by searching PubMed, EmBase, and Web of Science databases up to Dec 2014. Risk estimates from individual studies were pooled using random-effects models. Sub-groups analyses were conducted by some study-level factors. Publication bias was assessed by funnel plots, Egger's regression test and Begg-Mazumdar test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 11 articles were included in the meta-analysis, including 3 cohort studies, 6 case-control studies, and 2 cross-sectional studies. The meta-analysis showed that family history of all ADs combined was associated with a 28% (95% CI: 12-48%) higher risk of autism in children. For some specific ADs, evidence synthesis for risk of autism in children showed a statistically significant association with family history of hypothyroidism (OR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.07-2.50), type 1 diabetes (OR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.23-1.81), rheumatoid arthritis (OR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.19-1.91), and psoriasis (OR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.28-1.97). The results varied in some subgroups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An overall increased risk of autism in children with family history of ADs was identified. More mechanistic studies are needed to further explain the association between family history of ADs and increased risk of autism in children.
authors.affiliation: Research and Technology Service Center, 302 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Shunquan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Yingying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Fuquan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Research and Technology Service Center, 302 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Ruisheng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Research and Technology Service Center, 302 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Guoming
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Research and Technology Service Center, 302 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China. Electronic address: houj302@163.com.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Research and Technology Service Center, 302 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China. Electronic address: maopy302@163.com.
authors.forename: Panyong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mao
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D005192:Family Health; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Autism; Autoimmune diseases; Family history