Objective To investigate the expression level of serum polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in order to provide theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of ASD. Methods From December 2020 to June 2021, 45 ASD children and 30 typically developed children were selected in the Department of Children Health Care of Shanghai Children's Hospital. The content of PUFAs in their peripheral blood serum was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) and a self-designed dietary questionnaire were used to understand the differences in dietary behavior and dietary structure between ASD children and the control group. Then the influencing factors of serum PUFAs expression level in ASD children were further analyzed. Results Serum levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic acid (LA), total n-3 PUFAs and total n-6 PUFAs in ASD group were decreased (t=2.81,2.04,2.94,2.33,2.11,2.63, P<0.05), especially EPA and AA were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Diet and behavioral problems (including food refusal, ASD related feeding problems, limited variety of foods) and total score of children in the ASD group were higher than those in the control group (t=2.93, 13.42, 2.22, 8.40, P<0.05). The overall interest in diet of children in ASD group was lower than that in the control group(t=2.70, P＜0.05), especially in fish (t=5.03, P<0.05). Conclusions The content of serum PUFAs in ASD children is lower than that in healthy children, which may be related to dietary behavior and dietary preference. Supplement of PUFAs may be one of the auxiliary methods for the treatment of ASD children.
Key words
autism spectrum disorder /
polyunsaturated fatty acids /
liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry /
diet and behavioral problems
{{custom_sec.title}}
{{custom_sec.title}}
{{custom_sec.content}}
References
[1] American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders:(DSM-5)[M]. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Publishing, 2013.
[2] Baio J, Wiggins L, Christensen DL, et al. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years - autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2014[J]. MMWR Surveill Summ,2014, 67(6):1-23.
[3] Maenner MJ,Shaw KA,Baio J,et al. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years-autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network,11 sites,United States,2016[J].MMWR Surveill Summ, 2020, 69(4):11-12.
[4] 戴琼,徐海青,汪鸿,等.2000—2016年中国儿童孤独症谱系障碍患病率Meta分析[J].中国儿童保健杂志,2017,25(12):1243-1246.
[5] Glen AI, Skinner F,Pilespellman JM, et al. A red cell membrane abnormality in a subgroup of schizophrenic patients:Evidence for two diseases[J]. Schizophr Res, 1994, 12(1):53-61.
[6] Chhetry BT, Hezghia A, Miller JM, et al. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation and white matter changes in major depression[J]. J Psychiatr Res, 2016, 75:65-74.
[7] Bonvicini C, Faraone SV, Scassellati C. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults:A systematic review and meta-analysis of genetic, pharmacogenetic and biochemical studies[J]. Mol Psychiatry, 2016, 21(7):872-884.
[8] Bell JG, Sargent JR,Tocher DR, et al. Red blood cell fatty acid compositions in a patient with autistic spectrum disorder:A characteristic abnormality in neurodevelopmental disorders?[J]. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 2000, 63(1-2):21-25.
[9] Wiest MM, German JB, Harvey DJ, et al. Plasma fatty acid profiles in autism:A case-control study[J]. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 2009, 80(4):221-227.
[10] Jory J. Abnormal fatty acids in Canadian children with autism[J]. Nutrition, 2016, 32(4):474-477.
[11] 庞伟,康倩倩,郭岚敏,等.孤独症儿童血浆多不饱和脂肪酸水平研究[J].中国康复理论与实践,2011,17(8):742-744.
[12] El-Ansary AK, Bacha AG, Al-Ayahdi LY. Impaired plasma phospholipids and relative amounts of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids in autistic patients from Saudi Arabia[J]. Lipids Health Dis, 2011,10:63.
[13] Bu B,Ashwood P, Harvey D, et al. Fatty acid compositions of red blood cell phospholipids in children with autism[J]. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 2006, 74(4):215-221.
[14] Ooi YP, Weng SJ, Jang LY, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids in the management of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Findings from an open-label pilot study in Singapore[J]. Eur J Clin Nutr, 2015, 69(8):969-971.
[15] Bent S,Hendren RL, Zandi T, et al. Internet-based, randomized, controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids for hyperactivity in autism[J]. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2014, 53(6):658-666.
PDF(483 KB)
