Serum B12, homocysteine, and anti-parietal cell antibody levels in children with autism

Abstract

Aims

To compare vitamin B12, homocysteine, and anti-parietal cell antibody (APCA) levels between children with ASD and controls, paired in terms of age, sex, and socioeconomic level.

Methods

The research group consisted of 69 children, 36 with ASD and 33 controls. The severity of ASD was determined using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Serum vitamin B12, homocysteine and human anti-parietal cell levels were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The serum vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels in children with ASD were lower than in the control group, but there was no significant difference in terms of APCA levels.

Conclusions

Deficiencies in micronutrients, such as B12, may play a role in the pathogenesis and clinical symptoms of autism. However, it is believed that these parameters should be analysed in a wider population to clarify their effect on the aetiology of ASD.

KEY POINT

• We hypothesised that low levels of vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels reported in previous studies might be associated with APCA levels.

• The homocysteine and B12 levels were found to be significantly lower in children with ASD. There was no significant difference in serum APCA levels.

• No significant relationship was found between B12 levels and APCA.

• Given all these findings, it can be stated that vitamin B12 deficiency is not associated with an absorption-related mechanism due to the presence of APCA.

• Deficiencies in micronutrients, such as B12, may play a role in the pathogenesis and clinical symptoms of autism.

• In future studies, it will be beneficial to investigate other mechanisms that may cause vitamin B12 deficiency.

Keywords:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• children
• vitamin B12
• homocysteine
• anti-parietal cell antibody

Acknowledgement

We offer our greatest thanks to the patients who participated in this study.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

A concise of description

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by a restricted and repetitive pattern of behaviours, interests, or activities, as well as limitations in mutual communication and social interaction. Numerous studies report that there are biologic abnormalities associated with ASD. Our study is of importance because it is the first to investigate serum vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels, as well as APCA levels in children with ASD.

Disclosure statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by a grant from the Scientific Research Project Coordination Unit of Necmettin Erbakan University [Project no: 191218007].