Date of Conferral

1-21-2026

Date of Award

January 2026

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Health Sciences

Advisor

Tolulope Osoba

Abstract

Early-onset atopic dermatitis (AD) affects approximately 10-20% of children in the United States, and emerging evidence suggests potential links between early immune dysregulation and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Limited research has examined whether early AD serves as a specific risk factor for later ASD diagnosis. Guided by life course theory, the purpose of this study was to examine whether AD diagnosed within the first two years of life predicts later diagnosis of ASD among U.S. children younger than five years. A secondary analysis of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study was conducted using a retrospective cohort design. The sample included 2,949 children. Multiple logistic regression models were estimated to evaluate the association between early AD and ASD while controlling for sociodemographic characteristics (race/ethnicity, maternal education, household income) and allergic comorbidities, including asthma, food allergy, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Results indicated that early AD was not a statistically significant predictor of ASD diagnosis (B = −0.730, p = .338; OR = 0.482, 95% CI [0.11, 2.15]). However, ADHD demonstrated a statistically significant association with ASD diagnosis (OR = 8.765, p < .001, 95% CI [3.24, 23.71]). Findings were limited by class imbalance in the dataset. Results support positive social change by providing evidence-based guidance to pediatricians for risk stratification in developmental screening protocols, informing policymakers about the complexity of neurodevelopmental risk factors, and reassuring caregivers that AD alone does not substantially increase ASD risk.

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