title: Magnesium profile in autism.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to determine and compare plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of magnesium in 12 autistic children (10 boys, 2 girls), 17 children with other autistic spectrum disorders (14 boys, 3 girls), 5 girls with classic Rett syndrome, and 14 normal children (7 boys, 7 girls) of the same age. No differences in intracellular Mg were found between controls and pathological subjects; however, autistic children and children with other autistic spectrum disorders had significantly lower plasma concentrations of Mg than normal subjects (p=0.013 and p=0.02, respectively). Although our study population was small, we conclude that children with autistic spectrum disorders require special dietary management. If these cases are diagnosed at an early stage, they can be helped through diet.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Neonatology and Preventive Paediatrics, Azienda Universitaria Ospedaliera Senese, Policlinico Le Scotte, Siena, Italy. strambi@umisit.it
authors.forename: Mirella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Strambi
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Longini
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hayek
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berni
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Macucci
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scalacci
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vezzosi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D015518:Rett Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy
chemical_list: D008274:Magnesium