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Levels of Heavy Metals and Essential Minerals in Hair Samples of Children with Autism in Oman: a Case–Control Study

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Abstract

Toxic levels of heavy metals and low levels of essential minerals have been suggested to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study documents the levels of heavy metals and essential minerals in hair samples of children with ASD in Muscat, the urbanized capital of Oman, Muscat. The study included 27 children with ASD and 27 matched non-ASD controls. Parental interviews were held and dietary intake questionnaires completed in conjunction with the collection of hair samples. Analysis of heavy metals and essential minerals was carried out by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Chi-square analysis and non-parametric Fisher’s exact tests were used to assess statistical significance. Children with ASD had significantly higher levels of all 11 analyzed heavy metals in their hair samples (P < 0.05), ranging from 150 to 365 % of control levels. ASD children also had significantly higher levels of essential minerals sulfur, sodium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iron, but lower levels of calcium and copper in their hair samples. This study corroborates data from previous studies in different parts of the world indicating the presence of elevated levels of heavy metals and selective depletion of essential minerals in the hair of children with ASD.

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Acknowledgment

This study was supported by the Internal Grant Fund (IG/AGR/Food/10/01) and the Strategic Research Fund offered by His Majesty Sultan of Oman (SR/MED/FMCO/11/01), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University.

Competing Interests

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, Oman

    Yahya M. Al-Farsi, Mohammed A. Al-Shafaee & Omar A. Al-Farsi

  2. Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, College of Agriculture and Marines Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud, Muscat, Oman

    Mostafa I. Waly

  3. Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

    Marwan M. Al-Sharbati & Samir Al-Adawi

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

    Maha M. Al-Khaduri

  5. Department of Genetics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

    Ishita Gupta & Allal Ouhtit

  6. Department of Early Childhood Education, College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman

    Mona F. Al-Said

  7. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

    Yahya M. Al-Farsi

  8. Department of Nutrition, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

    Mostafa I. Waly

  9. School of Pharmacy, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA

    Richard C. Deth

  10. Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35, 123, Al-Khoudh, Sultanate of Oman

    Yahya M. Al-Farsi

Authors
  1. Yahya M. Al-Farsi
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  2. Mostafa I. Waly
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  3. Marwan M. Al-Sharbati
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  4. Mohammed A. Al-Shafaee
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  5. Omar A. Al-Farsi
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  6. Maha M. Al-Khaduri
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  7. Ishita Gupta
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  8. Allal Ouhtit
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  9. Samir Al-Adawi
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  10. Mona F. Al-Said
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  11. Richard C. Deth
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yahya M. Al-Farsi.

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Al-Farsi, Y.M., Waly, M.I., Al-Sharbati, M.M. et al. Levels of Heavy Metals and Essential Minerals in Hair Samples of Children with Autism in Oman: a Case–Control Study. Biol Trace Elem Res 151, 181–186 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-012-9553-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-012-9553-z

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