title: Lack of correlation between metallic elements analyzed in hair by ICP-MS and autism.
abstract: A cross-sectional case-control study was carried out to evaluate the concentrations of metallic elements in the hair of 44 children with diagnosis of autism and 61 age-balanced controls. Unadjusted comparisons showed higher concentrations of molybdenum, lithium and selenium in autistic children. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the role of risk factor for male gender and showed a slight association with molybdenum concentrations. Unconventional chelation and vitamin-mineral supplementation were ineffective on elemental hair concentrations. A meta-analysis including the present and previous similar studies excluded any association of autism with hair concentrations of mercury, cadmium, selenium, lithium and copper. A slight association was found for lead only, but it was very weak, as strictly dependent on the worst data from one study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Applied Medicine, Section of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, Brescia, Italy. depalma@med.unibs.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Palma
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Catalani
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brighenti
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Apostoli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000032:analysis*; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008982:Molybdenum; D008094:Lithium; D012643:Selenium