Fatty acid and phospholipase A2 plasma levels in children with autism.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate fatty acid plasma levels, phospholipase A2 activity, and the developmental profiles of children with autism vs. control subjects.


METHODS
Twenty four children with autism underwent laboratory analysis for fatty acid quantification using gas chromatography and PLA2 activity determination by fluorometric assay.


RESULTS
No correlation was observed between the developmental quotient and fatty acid plasma levels. Phospholipase A2 activity was significantly higher among autistic children compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
The study did not show a correlation between fatty acid and phospholipase A2 plasma levels and the developmental profile of children with autism.
Núcleo de Pesquisa e Inovação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
Márcia Helena Fávero de Souza
MH
Tostes
Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Núcleo de Pesquisa e Inovação em Ciências da Saúde, UFJF.
Hudson Caetano
HC
Polonini
Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Núcleo de Pesquisa e Inovação em Ciências da Saúde, UFJF.
Rosemeri
R
Mendes
Núcleo de Pesquisa e Inovação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
Marcos Antônio Fernandes
MA
Brandão
Departamento e Instituto de Psiquiatria, Laboratório de Neurociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Wagner Farid
WF
Gattaz
Núcleo de Pesquisa e Inovação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
Nádia Rezende Barbosa
NR
Raposo