Boys on the Spectrum Hospitalized More Often than Girls on the Spectrum
A South Korean study has discovered that air pollution is linked to a higher risk of hospitalization for children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This research suggests that short-term exposure to air pollution affects ASD symptom aggravation. The study’s authors offer a brief explanation of how polluted air can negatively affect the body. They write, “Air pollution is known to impact the central nervous system by activating microglia and disrupting the blood-brain barrier through systemic inflammation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, cerebrovascular injury, and neurodegenerative processes.” The authors continue by detailing how short-term exposure can activate microglia, which are linked to proinflammatory cytokines. These proinflammatory cytokine levels have been associated with communication and behavioral issues that children with autism display.
The study identified three main types of air pollution associated with increased hospitalization for children on the spectrum. These include:
- Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure hospital risk with 1 day of lag: relative risk 1.17 (95% CI 1.10-1.25)
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure hospital risk with 5 days of lag: RR 1.09 (95% CI 1.01-1.18)
- Ozone (O3) exposure hospital risk with 4 days of lag: RR 1.03 (95% CI 1.00-1.06)
Also recognized in this work was a significant difference in air pollution-related hospital admission between boys with ASD and girls with ASD. Boys were far more likely to be hospitalized than girls, especially after exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 . The authors conclude that reducing children on the spectrum’s exposure to air pollution should be considered part of a successful ASD symptom management routine.
