Vaikų autizmo, alergijų ir elgesio modelių sąveikos tyrimas /

The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is steadily rising each year. Autism is a heterogeneous condition influenced by genetic, environmental, and immunological factors, with allergies emerging as a potential contributing component. This study mostly focuses on the behavioural patterns of children with ASD: examining the relationship between allergies and different behavioural models. In the study, conducted through parental surveys, two groups were compared: allergic and non-allergic children. While recognizing the diverse and complex nature of ASD, this study was able to identify a common and statistically significant behavioural trait of allergic children with ASD: they had a greater tendency to ignore other people compared to non-allergic peers. Moreover, parents noticed an improvement in social behaviours as the allergy was outgrown, in some cases autism also showed signs of improvement. Study findings revealed a consistent profile of common allergens among children with ASD, irrespective of geographical location: food allergens – milk, hazelnut and peanuts; inhalant: house dust mite, birch, cat dander and dog fur. In the study, a statistically significant association was also observed between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and allergies – the majority of allergic children with ASD had this diagnosis. That raises a question: perhaps autism and ADHD are different manifestations of the same condition. In addition, the study found that a significant proportion of children with ASD, regardless of their allergic status, have allergic mothers (one-third of children with ASD inherit their allergies from their mother and only one-sixth from their father). The link between allergies and specific behavioural traits in children with ASD raises thoughts about possible therapeutic interventions. Considering parents' reports of symptom improvement in children who outgrew their allergies, attention should be drawn to immunotherapy as a new intervention or therapy for autism.

Grantor dc:publisher

Institutional Repository of Vilnius University

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Balčiūtė, Gintarė Marija,

Statement dc:rights

• info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Language dc:language

lit

Repository record dc:identifier

https://repository.vu.lt/VU:ELABAETD210639624&prefLang=en_US

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vu.lt:elaba:210639624