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ASPartOfMe
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22 Sep 2022, 8:31 am

Smoggy Days Could Help Send Kids With Autism to the ER

Quote:
Could air pollution land children with autism in the hospital?

A new study found that short-term exposure to air pollution is linked to a higher risk for hospitalization among kids with the developmental disorder.

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often admitted due to such symptoms as hyperactivity, aggression and self-injury. While neuro-inflammation and systemic inflammation can be improved through medications, diet and supplements, short-term exposure to air pollution may exacerbate those symptoms, the study from Korea found.

A child's developing nervous system is also more susceptible to environmental exposures than an adult's nervous system, the scientists noted.

This study suggests that short-term exposure to air pollution affects ASD symptom aggravation, which is more prominent among boys than among girls," said the researchers led by Dr. Yun-Chul Hong, of the Institute of Public Health and Medical Care at Seoul National University Hospital, and the Department of Preventive Medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine.

In the study, the researchers used South Korean government data on daily hospital admissions for autism among children ages 5 to 14 between 2011 and 2015.

The research team also collected information on national daily levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) in each of the 16 regions in South Korea for up to six days.

The researchers calculated that exposure to these pollutants was associated with a 29% higher risk of hospital admission for autism, with NO2 having the greatest effect. Hospital admissions included those for hyperactivity, aggression or self-injury.

The findings were published Sept. 20 in the BMJ.

Limitations of the study included that regional, rather than local, air pollution levels were measured and that children with mild autism may be less likely to receive psychiatric treatment and so may not have been included in the study. Also, the study only found an association between pollution levels and hospitalization, and not a cause-and-effect link.


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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity

“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman


lostonearth35
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24 Sep 2022, 12:23 am

I wouldn't know since I grew up in the country where air pollution wasn't a real problem. Unless you count exposure to second hand smoke.