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Relationship Between Calcium and Gut Microbial Composition and Metabolic Pathways in Children with Autism
Jialin Li1,2, Xinjie Xu3, Huinuo Wang1
1Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
Metabolites
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Hair calcium levels correlate with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptom severity and specific gut microbes. This suggests a link between mineral profiles, gut bacteria, and ASD behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) severity may be influenced by trace elements and gut microbiota.
- Limited research exists on the role of calcium in ASD and its interaction with gut microbes.
- This study investigates the connection between hair calcium, gut microbiome, and ASD behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine associations between hair calcium levels, gut microbial composition, metabolic pathways, and behavioral phenotypes in children with ASD.
- To explore the relationship between calcium-related mineral profiles and the gut microbiome's functional potential in ASD.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 183 children with ASD.
- Analysis of behavioral assessments, hair calcium measurements, and fecal shotgun metagenomic sequencing.
- Comparison of microbiome differences between low and high calcium groups, followed by full-sample integrated analyses.
Main Results:
- Hair calcium positively correlated with ASD symptom severity scores (CARS, ATEC).
- Identified 63 differential microbial species and 22 metabolic pathways associated with hair calcium.
- Integrated analyses revealed connections between calcium-associated microbes, pathways, and ASD behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Hair calcium levels are associated with ASD behavioral severity.
- Findings suggest a link between hair calcium, gut microbial species, and metabolic pathways in ASD.
- Supports a framework connecting calcium, gut microbiome function, and ASD phenotypes for future research.
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