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Iron deficiency parameters in autism spectrum disorder: clinical correlates and associated factors

Serkan Gunes1, Ozalp Ekinci2, Tanju Celik3

  • 1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hatay State Hospital, Hatay, Turkey. dr_sgunes@hotmail.com.

Italian Journal of Pediatrics
|September 23, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show lower iron levels, but not always anemia. Iron deficiency in ASD may link to intellectual disability rather than symptom severity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is frequently associated with high rates of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA).
  • Limited research exists on the relationship between iron status and the clinical manifestations of ASD.
  • This study investigates iron parameters in children with ASD compared to healthy controls and their correlation with ASD symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare hemoglobin, hematocrit, iron, ferritin, MCV, and RDW levels in children with ASD versus healthy controls.
  • To explore the correlation between these iron-related blood parameters and the severity of clinical symptoms in ASD.
  • To identify potential links between iron status and specific characteristics of ASD, such as intellectual disability.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 100 children diagnosed with ASD and 100 healthy controls (age 2-18 years) was studied.
  • Iron deficiency was assessed using specific ferritin cutoffs for preschoolers and school-aged children.
  • Anemia was defined based on established hemoglobin level criteria for different age groups. Symptom severity was evaluated using CARS, AuBC, and AbBC.
  • Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, and Pearson's correlation analysis.

Main Results:

  • Children with ASD exhibited significantly lower levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, iron, and MCV compared to healthy controls.
  • Preschoolers with ASD showed lower hemoglobin, hematocrit, and MCV. ASD patients with intellectual disability had lower hemoglobin and hematocrit.
  • Hemoglobin levels were lower in children with severe ASD. A significant negative correlation was observed between hematocrit and ASD symptom severity scores (CARS, AuBC, AbBC).

Conclusions:

  • While children with ASD had lower hemoglobin levels, it was not always indicative of anemia.
  • Iron deficiency in children with ASD appears more strongly associated with intellectual disability than with the severity of autistic symptoms.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between iron metabolism and neurodevelopment in ASD.
Abstract

Keywords:
AnemiaAutism spectrum disorderFerritinHemoglobinIron

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