Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are complex and multifactorial. Previous investigations have revealed associations between allergic disease and ASD, which are characterized by impaired communication skills. In this study we observed an association between allergic disease and communication skills development as assessed by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) communication score, as a proxy for ASD, among children who participated in the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial (VDAART). In particular, we observed significant associations between both a diagnosis of eczema at age 3 years (OR = 1.87; confidence interval [CI]: 0.97-3.47; p = 0.054) and a diagnosis of food allergy at age 6 years (OR = 3.61; 95% CI: 1.18-9.85; p = 0.015) with ASQ communication score. Plasma metabolomics analyses suggest that dysregulated tryptophan metabolism may contribute to the pathogenesis of these co-morbidities.
Keywords: ASD; Ages and stages questionnaire; Allergy; Atopy; Autism; VDAART.
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