Analysis of Whole Blood and Urine Trace Elements in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Autistic Behaviors.

Researchers compared blood and urine levels of 13 different minerals and metals in 30 children with autism versus 30 children without autism. They found that autistic children had higher levels of certain toxic elements (molybdenum, cadmium, tin, lead) in their blood. Some minerals were linked to autism behavior severity. While the study suggests mineral imbalances might affect autism symptoms, more research is needed to understand how this works.

This case-control study examined trace element concentrations in whole blood and urine of 30 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to 30 matched controls in China. Using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, researchers analyzed 13 trace elements and their relationship to autistic behaviors assessed via ABC, CARS, and CNBS scales. Results showed significantly higher blood levels of molybdenum, cadmium, tin, and lead in ASD children. Several trace elements correlated with core ASD behaviors, including antimony, thallium, molybdenum, manganese, zinc, and selenium.

The study suggests trace element imbalances may influence ASD symptom severity, though underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Findings suggest trace element profiling might inform ASD assessment and potentially guide targeted interventions. However, causal relationships remain unestablished. Further research needed before clinical applications. Practitioners should consider environmental exposures and nutritional factors as part of comprehensive ASD evaluation.

Small sample size (n=30 per group), single geographic location limiting generalizability, cross-sectional design preventing causal inferences, unclear mechanisms underlying observed associations, and potential confounding factors not addressed.

The relationship between trace elements and neurological development is an emerging research focus. We performed a case-control study to explore (1) the differences of 13 trace elements chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), stannum (Sn), stibium (Sb), mercury (Hg), titanium (TI), and plumbum (Pb) concentration in whole blood and urine between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children and their typical development peers, and (2) the association between the 13 trace elements and core behaviors of ASD. Thirty ASD subjects (cases) and 30 age-sex-matched healthy subjects from Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, were recruited. Element analysis was carried out by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry.

Autistic behaviors were assessed using Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Children Neuropsychological and Behavior Scale (CNBS). The whole blood concentrations of Mo (p = 0.004), Cd (0.007), Sn (p = 0.003), and Pb (p = 0.037) were significantly higher in the ASD cases than in the controls. Moreover, Se (0.393), Hg (0.408), and Mn (- 0.373) concentrations were significantly correlated between whole blood and urine levels in ASD case subjects. There were significant correlations between whole blood Sb (0.406), Tl (0.365), Mo (- 0.4237), Mn (- 0.389), Zn (0.476), and Se (0.375) levels and core behaviors of ASD.

Although the mechanism of trace element imbalance in ASD is unclear, these data demonstrate that core behaviors of ASD may be affected by certain trace elements. Further studies are recommended for exploring the mechanism of element imbalance and providing corresponding clinical treatment measures.