Case Report: 6-Year-Old Male with Autism and Systemic Onset Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by pervasive social and communication impairments and restricted range of interests and activities. Although the specific cause is unknown, proposed etiologies for autism have included autoimmune dysregulation of cellular or humoral components and maternal–fetal immunoregulation problems. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) constitutes several heterogeneous arthritides with onset in childhood. JRA is believed to be an autoimmune disorder whose pathogenesis is currently being elucidated. We present a case report of a 6-year-old male diagnosed with both autism and systemic onset JRA (SO-JRA). This co-occurrence has not previously been reported in the medical literature and raises the issue of a possible association between these 2 entities. Additional research to determine the frequency with which these 2 disorders coexist and to delineate potential immune mechanisms in autism could provide insights as to the etiology of both autism and SO-JRA and/or suggest a pathway to address treatment.