Odd Biochemical findings in autism |
|
|
Methylmalonic acid (seen here as the Coenzyme A form) as
a compound that is broken down through the succinate fraction of the Krebs
cycle. |
Single reportThis was simply reported by one group but in a high proportion of autistic children that were tested. However, the work has not been repeated although it would seem to be a reasonable thing to do at a later date. It is produced by fatty acid chain breakdown and from gut flora, but the body generally destroys it such that only small amounts are found in the urine. |
Methylmalonic Acid
Wakefield AJ, Murch SH, Anthony A, Linnell J, Casson DM, Malik M, Berelowitz M, Dhillon AP, Thomson MA, Harvey P, Valentine A, Davies SE, Walker-Smith JA. Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children. Lancet. 1998 Feb 28;351(9103):637-41. Abnormal laboratory results were significantly raised urinary methylmalonic acid compared with age-matched controls (p=0.003). This has neither been repeated nor interpreted adequately
Hyperbilirubinaemia
at birth in term infants
The reason why this should have anything to do with the risk for autism to develop in the child at a later date is unclear but it is clearly well researched and should not be ignored. Neonatal jaundice itself is unlikely to be the cause.
Neonatal jaundice: a risk factor for infantile autism?
Maimburg RD, Vaeth M, Schendel DE, Bech BH, Olsen J, Thorsen P. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2008
Nov;22(6):562-8. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds
ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals [CI] and likelihood ratio tests were
used to test for effect modification. We found an almost fourfold risk for
infantile autism in infants who had hyperbilirubinaemia after birth (OR 3.7
[95% CI 1.3, 10.5]). In stratified analysis, the association appeared limited
to term infants (>or=37 weeks gestation).
Return to
the Home Page