Oxidative Stress and Vitamin D Levels in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Introduction:

The etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is thought to be complex. Increasing evidence in the literature shows that oxidative stress plays a role in the development and prognosis of autism. In our study, investigators aimed to investigate whether thiol disulfide balance, which is a new marker of oxidative stress, is different from that in normal children with autism spectrum disorder.

Methods A total of 68 children, 38 with autism spectrum disorder and 30 healthy controls, were included in the study. Dynamic thiol balance, total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, ischemia-modified albumin, paraoxonase 1, and arylesterase activities were measured using colorimetric methods. Routine biochemical parameters were obtained from their files and evaluated.

Control group inclusion criteria:

• Healthy children who applied to the pediatric clinic for routine examination

Control group exclusion criteria:

• Children who have any chronic medical diseases or psychiatric disorders
• Children who have a family history of chronic medical diseases or psychiatric disorders

Autism spectrum disorder group inclusion criteria:

• Children with autism spectrum disorder (Diagnosis based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR))

Autism spectrum disorder group exclusion criteria:

• Children who have a family history of chronic medical diseases or psychiatric disorders

The study included children who visited the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Adolescent Pediatric Gastroenterology outpatient clinics.