Asthma and Autism

  In The Politics of Autism, I discuss various ideas about what causes the condition. 

Jan Green at Kaiser Permanente:

Mothers with asthma or obesity during pregnancy had higher rates of children diagnosed with autism, according to a new Kaiser Permanente analysis published in the journal Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science.

The study adds to evidence that maternal inflammation could affect neurodevelopment in children, said study lead author Lisa Croen, PhD, a senior research scientist and director of the Autism Research Program in the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.


“There have been studies showing that conditions during pregnancy, such as obesity, infection, fever, and gestational diabetes are related to autism,” Croen said. “We wanted to look at these factors both individually and in combination to find out if there is a profile of mothers who have a higher likelihood of having an autistic child.”

The analysis found mothers with asthma were 62% more likely to deliver an infant later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder; developmental disabilities were 30% more likely. In mothers with obesity, autism was 51% more likely, and risk increased with extreme obesity.

The association with autism was even stronger among mothers with both asthma and obesity.

There is a very long and growing list of other correlates, risk factors, and possible causes that have been the subject of serious studies: 

1. Inflammatory bowel disease;
2. Pesticides;
3. Air pollution and proximity to freeways;
4. Maternal thyroid issues;
5. Autoimmune disorders;
6. Induced labor;
7. Preterm birth;
8. Fever;  
9. Birth by cesarean section;
10. Anesthesia during cesarean sections;
11. Maternal and paternal obesity;
12. Maternal diabetes;
13. Maternal and paternal age;
14. Grandparental age;
15. Maternal post-traumatic stress disorder;
16. Maternal anorexia;
17. Smoking during pregnancy;
18. Cannabis use during pregnancy;
19. Antidepressant use during pregnancy;
20. Polycystic ovary syndrome;
21. Infant opioid withdrawal;
22. Zinc deficiency;
23. Sulfate deficiency;
24. Processed foods;
25. Maternal occupational exposure to solvents;
26. Congenital heart disease;
27. Insufficient placental allopregnanolone.
28. Estrogen in the womb;
29. Morning sickness;
30. Paternal family history;
31. Parental preterm birth;
32. Antiseizure meds
33. Location of forebears
34. Lithium
35. Aspartame
36. BPA
37. Brain inflammation