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document
Levels of metals in the blood and specific porphyrins in the urine in children with autism spectrum disorders . The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of metals in blood ( zinc ( Zn ) , copper ( Cu ) , aluminium ( Al ) , lead ( Pb ) and mercury ( Hg ) ) , as well as the specific porphyrin levels in the urine of patients with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) compared with patients with other neurological disorders . The study was performed in a group of children with ASD ( N = 52 , average age = 6.2 years ) and a control group of children with other neurological disorders ( N = 22 , average age = 6.6 years ) , matched in terms of intellectual abilities ( Mann-Whitney U = 565.0 , p = 0.595 ) . Measurement of metals in blood was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry , while the HPLC method via a fluorescence detector was used to test urinary porphyrin levels . Results were compared across groups using a multivariate analysis of covariance ( MANCOVA ) . In addition , a generalized linear model was used to establish the impact of group membership on the blood Cu/Zn ratio . In terms of blood levels of metals , no significant difference between the groups was found . However , compared to the control group , ASD group had significantly elevated blood Cu/Zn ratio ( Wald χ ( 2 ) = 6.6 , df = 1 , p = 0.010 ) . Additionally , no significant difference between the groups was found in terms of uroporphyrin I , heptacarboxyporphyrin I , hexacarboxyporphyrin and pentacarboxyporphyrin I . However , the levels of coproporphyrin I and coproporphyrin III were lower in the ASD group compared to the controls . Due to observed higher Cu/Zn ratio , it is suggested to test blood levels of Zn and Cu in all autistic children and give them a Zn supplement if needed .
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Outcome_Physical
metals in blood ( zinc ( Zn )
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Outcome_Physical
copper ( Cu )
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Outcome_Physical
aluminium ( Al )
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Outcome_Physical
lead ( Pb )
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Outcome_Physical
mercury ( Hg )
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Outcome_Other
p = 0.595
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Outcome_Other
Measurement
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Outcome_Other
group membership
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Outcome_Physical
blood Cu/Zn ratio
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Outcome_Physical
terms of blood levels of metals
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Outcome_Other
had significantly
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Outcome_Other
df = 1 , p = 0.010 )
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Outcome_Physical
between the groups was found in terms of uroporphyrin I
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Outcome_Physical
However , the levels of coproporphyrin
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Outcome_Other
to the controls
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Outcome_Physical
higher Cu/Zn ratio
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
autism spectrum disorders
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Participant_Condition
autism spectrum disorder ( ASD )
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Participant_Condition
neurological
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
ASD
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Participant_Sample-size
N = 52
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Participant_Age
average age = 6.2 years
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Sample-size
N = 22
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Participant_Age
age = 6.6 years