Infection with whooping cough in infants increases their risk of developing autism spectrum disorder, according to a new study led by scientists at Trinity College Dublin (TCD).
Although the researchers identify whooping cough – also known as pertussis – as a risk factor for autism in a study published by iScience, they say it’s difficult to pinpoint the precise risk involved.
“It is impossible to put a number on this, or to define how much is down to whooping cough,” said immunologist Prof Kingston Mills, who supervised the research led by Dr Eoin O’Neill along with Prof Marina Lynch.
“There have been a few reports showing associations between viral or bacterial infections in pregnancy and autism in offspring,” Prof Mills said.
Whooping cough is a highly infectious bacterial disease affecting the…