AUTISM AND AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE FROM 1971

THE OLDEST FIRST BORN SON AND PARENTS ARE SYMPTOM FREE THE YOUNGEST IS AUTISTIC HAS ADDISON'S DISEASE AND MONILIALSIS AND THE TWO MIDDLE SONS HAVE VARIOUS AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS

THE CERTAINLY SOUNDS LIKE A PATERNAL AGE EFFECT ON A VERY VULNERABLE FAMILY




Autism and autoimmune disease: A family study
Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Publisher Springer Netherlands
ISSN 0162-3257 (Print) 1573-3432 (Online)
Issue Volume 1, Number 2 / June, 1971
DOI 10.1007/BF01537954
Pages 146-160
Subject Collection Behavioral Science
SpringerLink Date Monday, May 02, 2005
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Autism and autoimmune disease: A family study
John Money1 , Nanci A. Bobrow1 and Florence C. Clarke1

(1) Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 21205 Baltimore, Md.


Abstract A family is presented to demonstrate the rare phenomenon of early infantile autism in the presence of autoimmune disease. The youngest son in the family has a multiple diagnosis of autism, Addison's disease, and moniliasis. The next older brother has hypoparathyroidism, Addison's disease, moniliasis, and diabetes mellitus. The next older brother has hypoparathyroidism, Addison's disease, moniliasis, and alopecia totalis. The oldest son and first born child in this family of four is, along with the parents, symptom free. Whereas autism in the youngest son might be attributed to the traumatic family situation, in which there exists the constant threat of near-death, it might conceivably be attributed also to a primary effect of autoimmune impairment from the formation of autoantibodies affecting the central nervous system.
Supported by Research Grants 5K03-HD18635, 2R01-HD00325 and 2R01-HD01852, United States Public Health Service.
The diagnostic studies and clinical management of the patients were under the supervision of Dr. Robert M. Blizzard, The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Mrs. Viola G. Lewis administered an intelligence test to one of the patients and saw all for follow-up interviews on several occasions. We express our gratitude to the patients' parents for their kind cooperation, and for permission to publish our study of this important case.

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