A meta-analytical study conducted by a French team links paternal/maternal autoimmune disease with a child’s risk of developing a neurodevelopmental disorder such as autism and ADHD. According to the researchers, these connections may be initiated due to exposure to environmental factors such as exposure to pollutants, passive smoking, genetic predisposition, etc. They also proposed that a shared mechanism could be present between the parents and a child, though the maternal route seemed to be riskier.

The neurodevelopmental disorder is caused by a correlation of genes and environmental factors while autoimmune and anti-inflammatory disorders are caused due to activation of the immune system, the circulation of antibodies, cytokines, etc. Several studies have advocated the link between autoimmune disorders and maternal health. However, no data has been provided to indicate the influence of both the parents in a direct way i.e., during pregnancy.

In the meta-analysis, 14 cases were included with 8.45 lakh mothers and 6 lakh fathers with an autoimmune disorder. Also, 4.98 lakh control mothers and 4.99 lakh control fathers were subjectively recruited. There were 182,927 children with neurodevelopmental disorders and 14,168,474 with no such diagnosis or disorder. The results showed that autoimmune diseases in mother and father were associated with a diagnosis of ASD and ADHD in children. Similarly, mothers diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis increased the risk of ASD and ADHD by the ratio of 1.6, 1.45, 1.38, and 1.36, 1.41, 1.32 respectively. On the other hand, fathers with type 1 diabetes had an increased ratio of ASD and ADHD by 1.42, 1.19 while psoriasis was linked to ADHD at a ratio of 1.18. (Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/972960?src= )