Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

Th1-like (IL-2, IFN-gamma) and Th2-like (IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) cytokines were
examined in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in children with autism. Intracellular
cytokines were measured using specific antibodies to various cytokines and anti-
CD4 or anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies by FACScan. Proportions of IFNgamma+CD4+
T cells and IL-2+CD4+ T cells (Th1), and IFN-gamma+CD8+ and
IL-2+CD8+ T cells (TC1) were significantly lower in autistic children as compared
to healthy controls. In contrast, IL-4+CD4+ T cells (Th2) and IL-4+CD8+ T cells
(TC2) were significantly increased in autism. The proportions of IL-6+ CD4+, IL-
6+CD8+ and IL-10+CD4+, IL-10+CD8+ T cells were comparable in autism and
control group. These data suggest that an imbalance of Th1- and Th2-like
cytokines in autism may play a role in the pathogenesis of autism.
PMID: 9627004 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Gurney JG, McPheeters ML, Davis MM. Parental report of health conditions and health
care use among children with and without autism: National Survey of Children's Health.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006 Aug;160(8):825-30.
Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0456, USA. jamegurn@umich.edu
OBJECTIVE: To compare parent-reported prevalence of health conditions and
health care use between children with and without autism. DESIGN: Crosssectional
analysis of the 2003 to 2004 National Survey of Children's Health.
SETTING: Population-based sample across the United States. PARTICIPANTS:
More than 100 000 parents. The main exposure was "autism" (not further
defined), from response to the question: "Has a doctor or health professional
ever told you that your child has autism?" MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Medical
and mental health conditions and measures of health care use. RESULTS: Autism
prevalence among children aged 3 to 17 years was 53 per 10 000 (95%
confidence interval, 45-61 per 10,000), equating to a national estimate of 324
000 children (95% confidence interval, 274,000-375,000 children). Children with
autism had a significantly (P