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Hair Metals and Essential Trace Element Profiles in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (F84.0): an Exploratory
Renata Rizzo1, Tommaso Filippini2,3, Chiara Copat4
1Child and Adolescent Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Biological Trace Element Research
|July 9, 2026
Summary
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show distinct hair metal and trace element levels, with sex-specific differences. Essential trace elements like zinc were higher in ASD, while mercury levels were lower, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with potential environmental influences.
- Hair analysis offers a non-invasive method to assess long-term exposure to metals and trace elements.
- Sex-based differences in ASD prevalence and presentation suggest underlying biological variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex-specific differences in hair metal and essential trace element levels in children with ASD compared to neurotypical controls.
- To explore potential correlations between elemental profiles and clinical characteristics in ASD.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 154 children (61 with ASD, 93 controls) aged 4-18 years.
- Hair samples analyzed for metals and trace elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
- Demographic, perinatal, dietary, and exposure data collected via parental questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Children with ASD exhibited distinct elemental profiles compared to controls.
- Females with ASD showed significantly higher levels of nickel, lead, chromium, and aluminum than female controls.
- Elevated zinc, selenium, and copper were observed in children with ASD; mercury levels were consistently lower across both sexes.
Conclusions:
- Hair elemental analysis reveals sex-related differences in children with ASD.
- The observed elemental patterns may offer insights into ASD pathophysiology and environmental interactions.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of diet, supplements, and metabolism in these findings.
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