Peripheral Iron Levels in Autism Spectrum Disorders vs. Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Preliminary Data

Andrea De Giacomo, Silvia Medicamento, Chiara Pedaci, Donatella Giambersio, Orazio Valerio Giannico, Maria Giuseppina Petruzzelli, Marta Simone, Massimo Corsalini, Lucia Marzulli and Emilia Matera
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Andrea De Giacomo: School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Silvia Medicamento: School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Chiara Pedaci: School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Donatella Giambersio: School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Orazio Valerio Giannico: Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Taranto, 74121 Taranto, Italy
Maria Giuseppina Petruzzelli: School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Marta Simone: School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Massimo Corsalini: School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Lucia Marzulli: School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Emilia Matera: School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-7

Abstract: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social skills and specific behaviors and interests. Among other environmental factors, iron may play a role in the development of ASD. The aim of this study is to compare the iron status of children with ASD with that of children affected by neurodevelopmental disorders other than ASD (OND). A total of 167 patients were enrolled, including 93 children with ASD and 74 children with OND. In the two groups, we determined ferritin, iron, transferrin, hemoglobin, HCT, and MCV in the serum. We found a significant difference in serum ferritin and MCV levels between the two groups ( p < 0.05), with lower ferritin and higher MCV values in the ASD group. There was no significant association with the other variables. Our results may support the hypothesis of altered iron status in ASD, justifying more frequent examinations of blood iron parameters in these children.

Keywords: ASD; autism; iron status; ferritin; MCV (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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