Evidence indicates that there may be an association between mothers with psoriasis and their children having autism. The study in the February issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine reviewed more than 88 000 children born between 1995 and 1999. The study found that psoriasis was the only immune disorder present in the mother that was “significantly associated” with an autism spectrum disorder.
Findings are Preliminary
The findings are only preliminary and there is still a lot to be done before the specifics are known. Michael Paranzino, president of the “Psoriasis Cure Now!” a psoriasis patient advocacy group responded to the findings
“Given that there are roughly 3 million women of child-bearing age with psoriasis across America, this new study is of great concern to us. We need Congress to support additional research to study this association further.”
“Psoriasis Cure Now!” are requesting emergency funding from Congress to enable further research in this area to continue to allow important questions to be answered, including:
Can other researchers replicate these findings?
Are certain psoriasis treatments associated with this finding?
Does the severity of the mother’s psoriasis have a bearing on the likelihood of her child having autism?
Do fathers with psoriasis produce a higher rate of children with autism than fathers without psoriasis?
Michale Paranzino also said, “Expectant mothers with psoriasis already have so much on their minds, in part because psoriasis treatment options for pregnant women are so limited.”
“Parents with psoriasis also have to contend with the fact that their children will be at increased risk to develop psoriasis. We urge women with psoriasis to speak with their physicians about this new study. These women deserve answers.” he continued.