Hair Toxic Metal Concentrations and Autism Spectrum Disorder Severity in Young Children

David A. Geier, Janet K. Kern, Paul G. King, Lisa K. Sykes and Mark R. Geier
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David A. Geier: Institute of Chronic Illnesses, 14 Redgate Ct, Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA
Janet K. Kern: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5353 Harry Hine Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
Paul G. King: CoMeD, Inc., 14 Redgate Ct, Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA
Lisa K. Sykes: CoMeD, Inc., 14 Redgate Ct, Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA
Mark R. Geier: Institute of Chronic Illnesses, 14 Redgate Ct, Silver Spring, MD 20905, USA

IJERPH, 2012, vol. 9, issue 12, 1-12

Abstract: Previous studies have found a higher body-burden of toxic metals, particularly mercury (Hg), among subjects diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in comparison to neurotypical controls. Moreover, Hg body-burden was associated with ASD severity. This cross-sectional study examined the potential correlation between hair toxic metal concentrations and ASD severity in a prospective cohort of participants diagnosed with moderate to severe ASD. The Institutional Review Board at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (Dallas, TX) approved the present study. Qualifying study participants (n = 18) were evaluated for ASD severity using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and quantitatively for arsenic, Hg, cadmium, lead, chromium, cobalt, nickel, aluminum, tin, uranium, and manganese using hair toxic element testing by Doctor’s Data (a CLIA-approved laboratory). CARS scoring and hair toxic element testing were blinded to one another. Increasing hair Hg concentrations significantly correlated with increased ASD severity. In contrast, no significant correlations were observed between any other of the hair toxic metals examined and ASD severity. This study helps to provide additional mechanistic support for Hg in the etiology of ASD severity, and is supported by an increasing number of recent critical reviews that provide biological plausibility for the role of Hg exposure in the pathogenesis of ASDs.

Keywords: asperger; autism; autistic; developmental; hair; heavy metal; neurodevelopmental; neurotoxicity; PDD-NOS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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