Rudimental Research Into Effects Of Vitamin D On Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Objective: To examine serum25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in children with autismspectrum disorder(ASD) and to explore the relationship between vitamin D level and ASD.To observe the effects of vitamin D supplement on the aspects of the social interaction,verbal and nonverbal communication,interests and behavior of newly diagnosed childrenwith ASD, and seek a new treatment for the therapy of the children with ASD.Methods: Serum levels of25-hydroxyvitamin D were determined by theHPLC-MS/MS method in215children with newly diagnosed ASD and285healthy controls.In addition,the children with ASD performed ABC,CARS assessments.Comparing the serum25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of these two groups and exploring the relationship betweenserum25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and ABC,CARS scores of children with ASD.Accordingto the willingness of the children’s parents,36cases of children with ASD whose vitamin Dstatus is insufficient or deficient recived supplement of vitamin D:taking alfacalcidol400IUonce a day orally,vitamin D3injection150000IU per month by intramuscular injection.Theassessments of ABC,CARS and serum levels of25-hydroxyvitamin D were performed at thetime points at the end of3rd month after the initiation of treatment.Results:1.Serum level of25-hydroxyvitamin D in children with ASD was significantlylower than that in healthy controls. The rate of vitamin D insufficiency plus deficiency in theASD group was significantly higher than in the control group.2.Serum level of25-hydroxyvitamin D in children with ASD was negative correlated with total ABC scoresand language subscale scores.However,there were no significant correlations betweensensory,relating (social skills),body and object use,social or self-help subscales ofABC,CARS scores of children with ASD and serum level of25-hydroxyvitamin D.After thesupplement of vitamin D,the total ABC scores,social skills,body and objectuse,language,social or self-help subscales of ABC and total CARS scores of all children withASD were reduced significantly,as compared with that of before treatment.4.The differenceof total ABC scores and total CARS scores in early treatment group was significantly greaterthan in later treatment group. Conclusion:Serum level of25-hydroxyvitamin D in children with ASD was significantly lower thanthat in healthy controls.Serum level of25-hydroxyvitamin D in children with ASD wasnegative correlated with the severity of behavioral abnormalities.With supplement of vitamin D,the behavioral abnormalities of children with ASD wereimproved,and early treatment of vitamin D is better than later treatment.