The UCLA-University of Utah Epidemiologic Survey of Autism: Recurrent Infections

Two hundred and forty-one children with autism were ascertained and diagnosed (DSM-III criteria) in an epidemiologic survey of Utah. Pediatric and other pertinent medical records were abstracted for 233 patients and 66 of their siblings without autism for otitis media, upper respiratory, and other infections. A significantly greater number of children with autism had recurrent otitis media, upper respiratory and other infections than their nonautistic siblings. A greater number of children with autisru with recurrent infections had lower IQ scores, seizures, hearing deficits, delayed motor milestones, poorer speech, congenital anomalies, feeding problems, vomiting, diarrhea, and other types of infections than children with autism with mild or no infections. The only significant pre-, peri-, or postnatal risk factors between children with autism with recurrent, mild or no infection was an increase in the maternal-fetal incompatibility (ABO or Rh) in the recurrent infection group. Half the families with more than one child with autism had recurrent infections and 72% of those children with concurrent diseases which effect the CNS had recurrent infections. Methodological limitations are discussed.