Autism is one of a group of serious developmental problems called Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) that appear in early childhood - usually below the age of 3. Though symptoms and severity vary, all autism disorders affect a child's ability to communicate and interact with others. The number of children diagnosed with autism seems to be rising.
One in every eighty eight children are afflicted by Autism. There have been some very good advancement in the recent past as scientists across the globe are working on this though there is still little understanding and awareness. The recent research findings show that at least one third of autism looks like a type of inflammatory disease and it begins in the womb.
It starts with what scientists call "immune dysregulation". The human body needs an optimal balance of pro and anti inflammatory muscle. If the immune systems fails at this balancing act then inflammatory signals would dominate. Anti-inflammatory ones are inadequate and a state of chronic activation prevails. The more skewed towards inflammation, the more acute the autistic symptoms.
Infection during pregnancy increases the risk of autism in the child. Hospitalisation for a viral infection, like the flu, during the first trimester of pregnancy triples the odd. Bacterial infection, including the urinary tract, during the second trimester increases chances by 40%. The mother's attempt to repel invaders - her inflammatory response - seems to be at fault. Autism in a child is an unintended consequence of self defence during pregnancy.
The prevalence of inflammatory diseases in general has increased significantly in the past half century. As a group, they include asthma, now estimated to affect 1 in 10 children and autoimmune disorders, which afflict 1 in 20 children. Both are linked to autism, especially in the mother. One Danish Study has revealed that mother's rheumatoid arthritis, a degenrative disease of the joints, elevated a child's risk of autism by 80%. Her celiac disease, an inflammatory disease prompted by proteins in wheat and other grains, increased it by 350%.
The lesson from these recent research studies is: Control inflammation during pregnancy, and it won't interfere with foetal brain development. A drug that is safe for use during pregnancy may help.
If we stop the maternal dysregulation then we have most likely prevented autism.
T.P.Anand
3rd September 2012
I have a feeling that almost all of the human beings have some degree of autism. It is also a fact that autistic people are very artistic people.
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