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. 2012 Mar;42(3):342-53.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-011-1245-6.

Lack of correlation between metallic elements analyzed in hair by ICP-MS and autism

Giuseppe De Palma  1 , Simona Catalani, Anna Franco, Maurizio Brighenti, Pietro Apostoli
Affiliations

Lack of correlation between metallic elements analyzed in hair by ICP-MS and autism

Giuseppe De Palma et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2012 Mar.

Abstract

A cross-sectional case-control study was carried out to evaluate the concentrations of metallic elements in the hair of 44 children with diagnosis of autism and 61 age-balanced controls. Unadjusted comparisons showed higher concentrations of molybdenum, lithium and selenium in autistic children. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the role of risk factor for male gender and showed a slight association with molybdenum concentrations. Unconventional chelation and vitamin-mineral supplementation were ineffective on elemental hair concentrations. A meta-analysis including the present and previous similar studies excluded any association of autism with hair concentrations of mercury, cadmium, selenium, lithium and copper. A slight association was found for lead only, but it was very weak, as strictly dependent on the worst data from one study.

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