title: Nutritional and Metabolic Biomarkers in Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Exploratory Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is currently on the rise, now affecting approximately 1 in 68 children in the United States according to a 2010 surveillance summary from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This figure is an estimated increase of 78% from the figure in 2002. The CDC suggests that more investigation is needed to understand this astounding increase in autism in such a short period.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether a group of children with ASD exhibited similar variations in a broad array of potential correlates, including medical histories, symptoms, genetics, and multiple nutritional and metabolic biomarkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a retrospective, descriptive chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study took place at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 7 children with ASD who had sought treatment at the Integrative Medicine Clinic at the medical center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A majority of the children exhibited an elevated copper:zinc ratio and abnormal vitamin D levels. Children also demonstrated abnormal levels of the essential fatty acids: (1) α-linolenic acid (ALA)- C13:3W3, and (2) linoleic acid (LA)-C18:2W6; high levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); and an elevated ω-6:ω-3 ratio. Three of 7 children demonstrated abnormal manganese levels. Children did not demonstrate elevated urine pyruvate or lactate but did have abnormal detoxification markers. Three of 7 patients demonstrated abnormalities in citric acid metabolites, bacterial metabolism, and fatty acid oxidation markers. A majority demonstrated elevated serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to casein, egg whites, egg yolks, and peanuts. A majority had absent glutathione S-transferase (GSTM) at the 1p13.3 location, and 3 of 7 children were heterozygous for the glutathione S-transferase I105V (GSTP1). A majority also exhibited genetic polymorphism of the mitochondrial gene superoxide dismutase A16V (SOD2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings from this small group of children with ASD points to the existence of nutritional, metabolic, and genetic correlates of ASD. These factors appear to be important potential abnormalities that warrant a case control study to evaluate their reliability and validity as markers of ASD.
authors.affiliation: Integrative medicine department at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) in Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Anna E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Esparham
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences/Division of Psychology at KUMC.
authors.forename: Teri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics at KUMC.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Belmont
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine-Wichita, University of Kansas.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haden
authors.affiliation: Integrative medicine department at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) in Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Leigh E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Integrative medicine department at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) in Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Randall G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Integrative medicine department at the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) in Kansas City, Kansas.
authors.forename: Jeanne A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Drisko