title: Vitamin d in the general population of young adults with autism in the faroe islands.
abstract: Vitamin D deficiency has been proposed as a possible risk factor for developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels were examined in a cross-sectional population-based study in the Faroe Islands. The case group consisting of a total population cohort of 40 individuals with ASD (aged 15-24 years) had significantly lower 25(OH)D3 than their 62 typically-developing siblings and their 77 parents, and also significantly lower than 40 healthy age and gender matched comparisons. There was a trend for males having lower 25(OH)D3 than females. Effects of age, month/season of birth, IQ, various subcategories of ASD and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule score were also investigated, however, no association was found. The very low 25(OH)D3 in the ASD group suggests some underlying pathogenic mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Kungsgatan 12, 411 19, Göteborg, Sweden, eva.kocovska@gnc.gu.se.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kočovská
authors.forename: Guðrið
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andorsdóttir
authors.forename: Pál
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weihe
authors.forename: Jónrit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halling
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernell
authors.forename: Tormóður
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stóra
authors.forename: Rannvá
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Biskupstø
authors.forename: I Carina
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Gillberg
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Billstedt
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bourgeron
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Minnis
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gillberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D