Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels and their association with neurodevelopmental features in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder

WU Yuan; YANG Ting; CHEN Hong-Yu; LONG Dan; XIANG Xue-Li; FENG Yu-Ru; WEI Qiu-Hong; CHEN Jie; LI Ting-Yu

doi:10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2310091

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Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ›› 2024, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (4) : 371-377. DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2310091

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Serum folate and vitamin B₁₂ levels and their association with neurodevelopmental features in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder

WU Yuan, YANG Ting, CHEN Hong-Yu, LONG Dan, XIANG Xue-Li, FENG Yu-Ru, WEI Qiu-Hong, CHEN Jie, LI Ting-Yu

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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.

Key words

Autism spectrum disorder / Neurodevelopment / Folic acid / Vitamin B₁₂ / Child

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WU Yuan, YANG Ting, CHEN Hong-Yu, LONG Dan, XIANG Xue-Li, FENG Yu-Ru, WEI Qiu-Hong, CHEN Jie, LI Ting-Yu. Serum folate and vitamin B₁₂ levels and their association with neurodevelopmental features in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder[J]. Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics. 2024, 26(4): 371-377 https://doi.org/10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2310091

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