Autism Spectrum Disorder patients may be susceptible to COVID-19 disease due to deficiency in melatonin

Brown, Gregory M.; Ramanujam, Karthikeyan; Pandi‐Perumal, Seithikurippu R.; Cardinali, Daniel P.

doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110544

Cited by 15 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Despite the growing number of hypotheses on the potential higher risk for COVID-19 infection among autistic individuals [3,10], we did not observe a higher rate of infection among ASD subjects compared to staff personnel. Although the difference in total prevalence rate was not statistically significant, in the daycare center almost all of the staff acquired the infection at the beginning of the pandemic, as detected through antibody positivity and consistent with symptom development; meanwhile, less than half of the autistic subjects had antibody positivity to SARS-CoV-2.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 93%

“…Third, six genes previously associated with ASD have been demonstrated to be differentially regulated in individuals with severe COVID-19 [9]. Finally, several ASD individuals showed melatonin deficiency or alteration in the melatonin genes: as the melatonin system acts both as an immune regulator and an oxidant scavenger, impairment in this system has been hypothesized to impact COVID-19 susceptibility in autistic people [10]. Despite these premises, real-world data on COVID-19 prevalence among autistic individuals are lacking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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A Pilot Study on Covid and Autism: Prevalence, Clinical Presentation and Vaccine Side Effects

et al. 2021

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Background: Several neurobiological mechanisms have been proposed to support the hypothesis of a higher COVID-19 risk in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, no real-world data are available on this population. Methods: We compared the period prevalence (March–May 2020) and symptom presentation of COVID-19 infections between a sample of individuals with severe ASD (n = 36) and the staff personnel (n = 35) of two specialized centers. Anti-SARS-Cov-2 antibody positivity was used as a proxy of infection. Additionally, we evaluated vaccine side effects in the same groups. Results: No significant difference was found between the prevalence of COVID-19 positivity between autistic participants and staff personnel. Levels of antibodies against the spike protein and the receptor binding domain were not significantly different between autistic and staff participants. The level of antibodies against the N-terminal domain were higher in autistic individuals. There was a significant difference between the prevalence of symptomatic COVID-19 in autistic participants (9.1%) compared to staff personnel (92.3%). The most frequent side effect among autistic participants was light fever. Conclusion: The present study provides preliminary data on COVID-19 transmission and presentation in ASD. Our data do not support the hypothesis of a higher susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 in people with ASD.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

A Pilot Study on Covid and Autism: Prevalence, Clinical Presentation and Vaccine Side Effects

et al. 2021

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“…It is possible that the COVID-19 infection, irrespective of severity, precipitates behavior health challenges leading to hospitalization and longer duration of stay (Bal et al, 2021;Righi et al, 2017;White et al, 2021). Further, several immunological theories, including the more recent preposition of abnormal melatonin production among individuals with ASD, might contribute to the increased severity of COVID-19 infection (Brown et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brief Report: Impact of COVID-19 in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Analysis of a National Private Claims Insurance Database

Karpur

Vasudevan

Shih

et al. 2021

J Autism Dev Disord

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The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a detrimental impact on individuals with disabilities. Data from FAIR Health's FH® NPIC (National Private Insurance Claims) database, one of the nation's largest databases of private insurance claim records, were analyzed to understand the experiences of individuals with ASD in the COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that individuals with ASD + ID were nine times more likely to be hospitalized following COVID-19 infection (OR = 9.3; 95% CI: 6.9-12.5) and were nearly six times more likely to have an elevated length of hospital stay (OR = 5.9; 95% CI: 3.5-10.1) compared to those without ASD + ID. These findings point to the need for prioritizing access to vaccines to prevent COVID-19 infection and morbidities. This is the first study to illustrate a higher likelihood of hospitalization and elevated length of hospital stay from COVID-19 in individuals with ASD and other comorbidities.

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“…(Karpur, Lello, Frazier, Dixon, & Shih, 2018;Shea et al, 2018) It is possible that the COVID-19 infection, irrespective of severity, precipitates behavior health challenges leading to hospitalization and longer duration of stay (Righi et al, 2017). Further, Several immunological theories, including the more recent preposition of abnormal melatonin production among individuals ASD, might contributed to the increased severity of COVID-19 infection (Brown et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Analysis of a National Private Claims Insurance Database

Karpur

Vasudevan

Shih

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a detrimental impact on individuals with disabilities. Data from FAIR Health FH NPIC (National Private Insurance Claims) database, one of the largest national databases of private insurance claim records, were analyzed to understand the experiences of individuals with ASD in COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that individuals with ASD + ID were nine times more likely to be hospitalized (OR = 9.3; 95% CI: 6.9, 12.5) and were nearly six times more likely have an elevated length of hospital stay(OR = 5.9; 95% CI: 3.5, 10.1) compared those without ASD + ID. These findings point to their need for prioritization in access to vaccines for preventing COVID-19 infection and morbidities.

show abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder patients may be susceptible to COVID-19 disease due to deficiency in melatonin

Cited by 15 publications

References 33 publications

A Pilot Study on Covid and Autism: Prevalence, Clinical Presentation and Vaccine Side Effects

A Pilot Study on Covid and Autism: Prevalence, Clinical Presentation and Vaccine Side Effects

Brief Report: Impact of COVID-19 in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Analysis of a National Private Claims Insurance Database

Impact of COVID-19 in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Analysis of a National Private Claims Insurance Database

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