01-23-2007, 06:58 PM
IMPORTANT:
For any auties with allergies (sinus and/or food allergies), gastrointestinal problems, ear infections, other types of infections, it may be a good idea to get tested for an Immunoglobulin A Deficiency. It's apparently the most common of immune disorders and seems to have all those symptoms.
Also, more recent research is pointing towards a fair portion of the ASD population having an IgA deficiency (one study I'm familiar with found that 28% of their sample had partial or even complete IgA deficiency). IgA deficiency can be diagnosed by a blood test.
There is no treatment for IgA deficiency, other than treating the symptoms directly. But it's a good idea to get tested and ALSO tested for IgA antibodies, because on some occasions (pretty rare, but good to make sure), the person with IgA deficiency may also have developed those IgA antibodies and if they ever need a blood transfusion, they will have an allergic reaction to the new blood-- which of course can be deadly.
So as a medical caution, it would be best to get that diagnosed and then make sure the person doesn't have any IgA antibodies. If they do, probably having one of those bracelets made or something may be a good idea.
Both can be seen in a blood test.
For anyone wanting to get a bit longer summary on IgA deficiency, here's a good 4 page easy to read pdf:
http://www.primaryimmune.org/pubs/book_pats/e_ch04.pdf
For any auties with allergies (sinus and/or food allergies), gastrointestinal problems, ear infections, other types of infections, it may be a good idea to get tested for an Immunoglobulin A Deficiency. It's apparently the most common of immune disorders and seems to have all those symptoms.
Also, more recent research is pointing towards a fair portion of the ASD population having an IgA deficiency (one study I'm familiar with found that 28% of their sample had partial or even complete IgA deficiency). IgA deficiency can be diagnosed by a blood test.
There is no treatment for IgA deficiency, other than treating the symptoms directly. But it's a good idea to get tested and ALSO tested for IgA antibodies, because on some occasions (pretty rare, but good to make sure), the person with IgA deficiency may also have developed those IgA antibodies and if they ever need a blood transfusion, they will have an allergic reaction to the new blood-- which of course can be deadly.
So as a medical caution, it would be best to get that diagnosed and then make sure the person doesn't have any IgA antibodies. If they do, probably having one of those bracelets made or something may be a good idea.
Both can be seen in a blood test.
For anyone wanting to get a bit longer summary on IgA deficiency, here's a good 4 page easy to read pdf:
http://www.primaryimmune.org/pubs/book_pats/e_ch04.pdf