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Research ArticleOriginal Research

Maternal Chemical and Drug Intolerances: Potential Risk Factors for Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Lynne P. Heilbrun, Raymond F. Palmer, Carlos R. Jaen, Melissa D. Svoboda, Jimmy Perkins and Claudia S. Miller
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine July 2015, 28 (4) 461-470; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2015.04.140192
Lynne P. Heilbrun
From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (RFP, LPH, CRJ, CSM); Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of San Antonio/Baylor College of Medicine (MDS); and Retired (JP, formerly a professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health at San Antonio).
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Raymond F. Palmer
From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (RFP, LPH, CRJ, CSM); Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of San Antonio/Baylor College of Medicine (MDS); and Retired (JP, formerly a professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health at San Antonio).
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Carlos R. Jaen
From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (RFP, LPH, CRJ, CSM); Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of San Antonio/Baylor College of Medicine (MDS); and Retired (JP, formerly a professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health at San Antonio).
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Melissa D. Svoboda
From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (RFP, LPH, CRJ, CSM); Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of San Antonio/Baylor College of Medicine (MDS); and Retired (JP, formerly a professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health at San Antonio).
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Jimmy Perkins
From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (RFP, LPH, CRJ, CSM); Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of San Antonio/Baylor College of Medicine (MDS); and Retired (JP, formerly a professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health at San Antonio).
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Claudia S. Miller
From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (RFP, LPH, CRJ, CSM); Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of San Antonio/Baylor College of Medicine (MDS); and Retired (JP, formerly a professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health at San Antonio).
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Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess whether chemically intolerant women are at greater risk for having a child with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Methods: We conducted a case–control study of chemical intolerance among mothers of children with ASD (n = 282) or ADHD (n = 258) and children without these disorders (n = 154). Mothers participated in an online survey consisting of a validated chemical intolerance screening instrument, the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI). Cases and controls were characterized by parental report of a professional diagnosis. We used a one-way, unbalanced analysis of variance to compare means across the 3 groups.

Results: Both mothers of children with ASD or ADHD had significantly higher mean chemical intolerance scores than did mothers of controls, and they were more likely to report adverse reactions to drugs. Chemically intolerant mothers were 3 times more likely (odds ratio, 3.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.50–6.02) to report having a child with autism or 2.3 times more likely (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–5.04) to report a child with ADHD. Relative to controls, these mothers report their children are more prone to allergies (P < .02), have strong food preferences or cravings (P < .003), and have greater sensitivity to noxious odors (P < .04).

Conclusion: These findings suggest a potential association between maternal chemical intolerance and a diagnosis of ADHD or ASD in their offspring.

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Chemical Exposure
  • Chemical Intolerance
  • Maternal Exposure
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The Journal of the American Board of Family     Medicine: 28 (4)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Vol. 28, Issue 4
July-August 2015
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Maternal Chemical and Drug Intolerances: Potential Risk Factors for Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Lynne P. Heilbrun, Raymond F. Palmer, Carlos R. Jaen, Melissa D. Svoboda, Jimmy Perkins, Claudia S. Miller
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Jul 2015, 28 (4) 461-470; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2015.04.140192

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Maternal Chemical and Drug Intolerances: Potential Risk Factors for Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Lynne P. Heilbrun, Raymond F. Palmer, Carlos R. Jaen, Melissa D. Svoboda, Jimmy Perkins, Claudia S. Miller
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Jul 2015, 28 (4) 461-470; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2015.04.140192
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Keywords

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Chemical Exposure
  • Chemical Intolerance
  • Maternal Exposure

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