Assessment of Hair Aluminum, Lead, and Mercury in a Sample of Autistic Egyptian Children: Environmental Risk Factors of Heavy Metals in Autism.
OBJECTIVE
The etiological factors involved in the etiology of autism remain elusive and controversial, but both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated. The aim of this study was to assess the levels and possible environmental risk factors and sources of exposure to mercury, lead, and aluminum in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as compared to their matched controls.


METHODS
One hundred ASD children were studied in comparison to 100 controls. All participants were subjected to clinical evaluation and measurement of mercury, lead, and aluminum through hair analysis which reflects past exposure.


RESULTS
The mean Levels of mercury, lead, and aluminum in hair of the autistic patients were significantly higher than controls. Mercury, lead, and aluminum levels were positively correlated with maternal fish consumptions, living nearby gasoline stations, and the usage of aluminum pans, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Levels of mercury, lead, and aluminum in the hair of autistic children are higher than controls. Environmental exposure to these toxic heavy metals, at key times in development, may play a causal role in autism.
Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Farida El Baz
Fel B
Mohamed
Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Eman Ahmed
EA
Zaky
National Institute of Standards, Giza, Egypt.
Adel Bassuoni
AB
El-Sayed
Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Reham Mohammed
RM
Elhossieny
Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Sally Soliman
SS
Zahra
Community Medicine Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Waleed
W
Salah Eldin
Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Walaa Yousef
WY
Youssef
Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Rania Abdelmgeed
RA
Khaled
Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Azza Mohamed
AM
Youssef
D000293:Adolescent; D000535:Aluminum / Q000032:analysis*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004534:Egypt; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D000075322:Heavy Metal Poisoning; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors
D007854:Lead; D000535:Aluminum; D008628:Mercury