Allergies in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The presentation of allergic diseases in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was evaluated systematically through a literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases. Any comparative studies on children with ASD and allergic diseases were evaluated for eligibility followed by risk of bias assessment, data synthesis, and meta-analysis. No randomized clinical trials were identified but 10 eligible observational studies were found, all of low methodological quality. A high estimated prevalence of asthma (OR 1.69, 95 % CI 1.11 to 2.59; 2,191 ASD children) and atopic rhinitis (OR 1.66, 95 % CI 1.49 to 1.85; 1,973 ASD children) were indicated. Rates of food allergy did not show significant differences between groups. Currently, clinical evidence was not found to draw any specific clinical implication.