Is there a link between iron deficiency and Asperger's Syndrome?

Answer 1

AnswerAsperger Syndrome is one of the diagnoses included in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and there are many factors which may contribute to the structural abnormalities in the developing brain that are responsible for the behaviors often seen in ASD. The National Institute of Mental Health has a summary page on the causes of ASD which can be found in the link below entitled Research into Causes and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Here are a couple of quotes from that article:

Evidence points to genetic factors playing a prominent role in the causes for ASD. Twin and family studies have suggested an underlying genetic vulnerability to ASD

and

Recent neuroimaging studies have shown that a contributing cause for autism may be abnormal brain development beginning in the infant's first months. This"growth dysregulation hypothesi" holds that the anatomical abnormalities seen in autism are caused by genetic defects in brain growth factors. It is possible that sudden, rapid head growth in an infant may be an early warning signal that will lead to early diagnosis and effective biological intervention or possible prevention of autism.

From these articles and the studies they are based on, it looks like the primary causes of Autism, and thus Aspergers is genetic. Additionally, there is no link between childhood vaccines and autism. Please see the link below entitled Vaccines and Autism.

Answer:

Because of the twin studies showing that if one identical twin has autism or Asperger's Syndrome, the other twin almost but not always has it, it is suspected that sometimes the genetic aspect of autism and Asperger's Syndrome might need to be triggered by an environmental factor. This environmental factor could be prenatal or in the first months after birth.

Answer 2

No.