Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels and their association with neurodevelopmental features in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder
10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2310091
- VernacularTitle:学龄前孤独症谱系障碍儿童血清叶酸、维生素B12水平及其与神经发育特征的关联
- Author:
Yuan WU
1
;
Ting YANG
;
Hong-Yu CHEN
;
Dan LONG
;
Xue-Li XIANG
;
Yu-Ru FENG
;
Qiu-Hong WEI
;
Jie CHEN
;
Ting-Yu LI
Author Information
1. 重庆医科大学附属儿童医院儿童营养研究中心/儿童神经发育与认知障碍重庆市重点实验室/儿童发育疾病研究教育部重点实验室/国家儿童健康与疾病临床医学研究中心,重庆 400014
- Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorder;
Neurodevelopment;
Folic acid;
Vitamin B12;
Child
- From:
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics
2024;26(4):371-377
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the levels of serum folate and vitamin B12(VB12)and their association with the level of neurodevelopment in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD).Methods A total of 324 ASD children aged 2-6 years and 318 healthy children aged 2-6 years were recruited.Serum levels of folate and VB12 were measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay.The Social Responsiveness Scale and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale were used to assess the core symptoms of ASD children,and the Gesell Developmental Schedule was employed to evaluate the level of neurodevelopment.Results The levels of serum folate and VB12 in ASD children were significantly lower than those in healthy children(P＜0.05).Serum folate levels in ASD children were positively correlated with gross and fine motor developmental quotients(P＜0.05),and serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with adaptive behavior,fine motor,and language developmental quotients(P＜0.05).In ASD children aged 2 to＜4 years,serum folate levels were positively correlated with developmental quotients in all domains(P＜0.05),and serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with language developmental quotient(P＜0.05).In male ASD children,serum VB12 levels were positively correlated with language and personal-social developmental quotients(P＜0.05).Conclusions Serum folate and VB12 levels in preschool ASD children are lower than those in healthy children and are associated with neurodevelopmental levels,especially in ASD children under 4 years of age.Therefore,maintaining normal serum folate and VB12 levels may be beneficial for the neurodevelopment of ASD children,especially in ASD children under 4 years of age.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(4):371-377]
