Serum vitamin D and folate levels in children with autism spectrum disorders

Ugur C., Gurkan C. K.

RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS, vol.8, no.12, pp.1641-1647, 2014 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 8 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.rasd.2014.09.002
  • Journal Name: RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1641-1647
  • Keywords: Autism spectrum disorders, Vitamin D, Calcium, Folate, FOLIC-ACID SUPPLEMENTS, AUTOIMMUNITY, DEFICIENCY, SYMPTOMS, RISK
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

It has recently proposed that vitamin D and folate may be involved in the aetiology of autism. We investigated the serum levels of vitamin D, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and folate in 54 young children, aged 3-8 years, with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and in 54 age and gender matched normal controls. Vitamin D. Ca, P. ALP and folate levels in children with ASD were not different from control group. The correlational analysis in children with ASD revealed that Aberrant Behaviour Checklist, Autism Behaviour Checklist, and Childhood Autism Rating Scale scores and the level of cognitive development were not correlated with these laboratory findings. Our findings do not support the idea that serum levels of vitamin D and folate might be low in children with ASD. Nevertheless, it is possible that vitamin D and folate deficiency may be playing a role in development of ASD at earlier ages or during prenatal period. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.