Blood Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Biological Trace Element Research volume 181, pages 31–37 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Environmental factors have been implicated in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the role of heavy metals has not been fully defined. This study investigated whether blood levels of mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead of children with ASD significantly differ from those of age- and sex-matched controls. One hundred eighty unrelated children with ASD and 184 healthy controls were recruited. Data showed that the children with ASD had significantly (p < 0.001) higher levels of mercury and arsenic and a lower level of cadmium. The levels of lead did not differ significantly between the groups. The results of this study are consistent with numerous previous studies, supporting an important role for heavy metal exposure, particularly mercury, in the etiology of ASD. It is desirable to continue future research into the relationship between ASD and heavy metal exposure.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1

References

  1. 1.

    Kanner L (1943) Autistic disturbances of affective contact. Nervous Child 2:217–250

    Google Scholar 

  2. 2.

    Fombonne E (2003) The prevalence of autism. JAMA 289:87–89

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. 3.

    Sealey LA, Hughes BW, Sriskanda AN, Guest JR, Gibson AD, Johnson-Williams L, Pace DG, Bagasra O (2016) Environmental factors in the development of autism spectrum disorders. Environ Int 88:288–298

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. 4.

    Zablotsky B, Black LI, Maenner MJ, Schieve LA, Blumberg SJ (2015) Estimated prevalence of autism and other developmental disabilities following questionnaire changes in the 2014 National Health Interview Survey. Natl Health Stat Rep 87:1–21

    Google Scholar 

  5. 5.

    Rossignol DA, Genuis SJ, Frye RE (2014) Environmental toxicants and autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. Transl Psychiatry 4:e360

    CAS  Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. 6.

    Rossignol DA, Frye RE (2012) A review of research trends in physiological abnormalities in autism spectrum disorders: immune dysregulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and environmental toxicant exposures. Mol Psychiatry 17:389–401

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. 7

    Grandjean P, Landrigan PJ (2006) Developmental neurotoxicity of industrial chemicals. Lancet 368:2167–2178

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. 8

    Geier DA, Audhya T, Kern JK, Geier MR (2010) Blood mercury levels in autism spectrum disorder: is there a threshold level? Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 70:177–186

    Google Scholar 

  9. 9

    Alabdali A, Al-Ayadhi L, El-Ansary A (2014) Association of social and cognitive impairment and biomarkers in autism spectrum disorders. J Neuroinflammation 11:4

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. 10

    Hertz-Picciotto I, Green PG, Delwiche L, Hansen R, Walker C, Pessah IN (2010) Bloodmercury concentrations in CHARGE study children with and without autism. Environ Health Perspect 118:161–166

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. 11

    Ip P, Wong V, Ho M, Lee J, Wong W (2004) Mercury exposure in children with autistic spectrum disorder: case-control study. J Child Neurol 19:431–434

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. 12

    Mostafa GA, Bjørklund G, Urbina MA, Al-Ayadhi LY (2016) The levels of blood mercury and inflammatory-related neuropeptides in the serum are correlated in children with autism spectrum disorder. Metab Brain Dis 31:593–599

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. 13

    Mostafa GA, Bjørklund G, Urbina MA, Al-Ayadhi LY (2016) The positive association between elevated blood lead levels and brain-specific autoantibodies in autistic children from low lead-polluted areas. Metab Brain Dis 31:1047–1054

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. 14

    Yassa HA (2014) Autism: a form of lead and mercury toxicity. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 38:1016–1024

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. 15

    Alabdali A, Al-Ayadhi L, El-Ansary A, Behav Brain Funct (2014) A key role for an impaired detoxification mechanism in the etiology and severity of autism spectrum disorders. Behav Brain Funct 10:14

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. 16

    Mostafa GA, Bjørklund G, Urbina MA, Al-Ayadhi LY (2016) The levels of blood mercury and inflammatory-related neuropeptides in the serum are correlated in children with autism spectrum disorder. Metab Brain Dis3:593–599

  17. 17

    Yoshimasu K, Kiyohara C, Takemura S, Nakai KA (2014) Meta-analysis of the evidence on the impact of prenatal and early infancy exposures to mercury on autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the childhood. Neurotoxicology 44:121–131

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. 18

    Geier DA, Kern JK, King PG, Sykes LK, Geier MRA (2015) Case-control study evaluating the relationship between thimerosal-containing haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine administration and the risk for a pervasive developmental disorder diagnosis in the United States. Biol Trace Elem Res 163:28–38

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. 19

    Geier DA, Hooker BS, Kern JK, King PG, Sykes LK, Geier MR (2014) A dose-response relationship between organic mercury exposure from thimerosal-containing vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders. Int J Environ res. Public Health 11:9156–9170

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. 20

    Geier DA, Hooker BS, Kern JK, King PG, Sykes LK, Geier MR (2013) A two-phase study evaluating the relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccine administration and the risk for an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in the United States. Transl Neurodegener 2:25

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. 21

    Young HA, Geier DA, Geier MR (2008) Thimerosal exposure in infants and neurodevelopmental disorders: an assessment of computerized medical records in the vaccine safety datalink. J Neurol Sci 271:110–118

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. 22

    Gallagher CM, Goodman MS (2010) Hepatitis B vaccination of male neonates and autism diagnosis, NHIS 1997-2002. J Toxicol Environ Health A73:1665–1677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. 23

    Hooker B, Kern J, Geier D, Haley B, Sykes L, King P, Geier M (2014) Methodological issues and evidence of malfeasance in research purporting to show thimerosal in vaccines is safe. Biomed Res Int 2014:247218

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. 24

    Adams JB, Audhya T, McDonough-Means S, Rubin RA, Quig D, Geis E, Gehn E, Loresto M, Mitchell J, Atwood S, Barnhouse S, Lee W (2013) Toxicological status of children with autism vs neurotypical children and the association with autism severity. Biol Trace Elem Res 151:171–180

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. 25

    Albizzati A, Morè L, Di Candia D, Saccani M, Lenti C (2012) Normal concentrations of heavy metals in autistic spectrum disorders. Minerva Pediatr 64:27–31

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. 26

    Macedoni-Lukšič M1, Gosar D, Bjørklund G, Oražem J, Kodrič J, Lešnik-Musek P, Zupančič M, France-Štiglic A, Sešek-Briški A, Neubauer D, Osredkar J (2015) Levels of metals in the blood and specific porphyrins in the urine in children with autism spectrum disorders. Biol Trace Elem Res 163:2–10

  27. 27

    Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Loveland KA, Ardjomand-Hessabi M, Chen Z, Bressler J, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Grove ML, Bloom K, Pearson DA, Lalor GC, Boerwinkle E (2013) Seafood consumption and blood mercury concentrations in Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorders. Neurotox Res 23:22–38

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. 28

    Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Dickerson AS, Loveland KA, Ardjomand-Hessabi M, Bressler J, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Grove ML, Pearson DA (2014) Boerwinkle E. Blood lead concentrations in Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Int J Environ Res Public Health 12:83–105

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. 29

    Stamova B, Green PG, Tian Y, Hertz-Picciotto I, Pessah IN, Hansen R, Yang X, Teng J, Gregg JP, Ashwood P, Van de Water J, Sharp FR (2011) Correlations between gene expression and mercury levels in blood of boys with and without autism. Neurotox Res 19:31–48

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. 30

    Kern JK, Geier DA, Deth RC, Sykes LK, Hooker BS, Love JM, Bjørklund G, Chaigneau CG, Haley BE, Geier MR (2015) Systematic Assessment of Research on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mercury Reveals Conflicts of Interest and the Need for Transparency in Autism Research. SciEng Ethics [Epub ahead of print]

  31. 31

    Blaurock-Busch E, Amin OR, Rabah T (2011) Heavy metals and trace elements in hair and urine of a sample of Arab children with autistic spectrum disorder. Maedica (Buchar) 6:247–257

    Google Scholar 

  32. 32

    Borchers A, Teuber SS, Keen CL, Gershwin ME (2010) Food safety. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 39:95–141

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. 33

    Kern JK, Grannemann BD, Trivedi MH, Adams JB (2007) Sulfhydryl-reactive metals in autism. JToxicol Environ Health A 70:715–721

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  34. 34

    Adams JB, Holloway CE, George F, Quig D (2006) Analyses of toxic metals and essential minerals in the hair of Arizona children with autism and associated conditions, and their mothers. Biol Trace Elem Res 110:193–209

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. 35

    Fido A, Al-Saad S (2005) Toxic trace elements in the hair of children with autism. Autism 9:290–298

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. 36

    Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Ardjomand-Hessabi MLoveland KA, Dickerson AS, Chen Z, Bressler J, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Grove ML, Bloom K, Wirth J, Pearson DA, Boerwinkle E (2012) The role of drinking water sources, consumption of vegetables and seafood in relation to blood arsenic concentrations of Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorders. Sci Total Environ 433:362–367

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. 37

    Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Ma J, Bressler J, Loveland KA, Ardjomand-Hessabi M, Dickerson AS, Grove ML, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Beecher C, McLaughlin W, Boerwinkle E (2014) Role of metabolic genes in blood arsenic concentrations of Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Int J Environ res. Public Health 11:7874–7895

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. 38

    Pamphlett R, McQuilty R, Zarkos K (2001) Blood levels of toxic and essential metals in motor neuron disease. Neurotoxicology 22:401–410

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. 39

    Shearer TR, Larson K, Neuschwander J, Gedney B (1982) Minerals in the hair and nutrient intake of autistic children. J Autism DevDisord 12:25–34

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  40. 40

    Yorbik O, Kurt I, Hasimi A, Oztürk O (2010) Chromium, cadmium, and lead levels in urine of children with autism and typically developing controls. Biol Trace Elem Res 135:10–15

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. 41

    Cohen DJ, Paul R, Anderson GM, Harcherik DF (1982) Blood lead in autistic children. Lancet 2:94–95

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. 42

    Tian Y, Green PG, Stamova B, Hertz-Picciotto I, Pessah IN, Hansen R, Yang X, Gregg JP, Ashwood P, Jickling G, Van de Water J, Sharp FR (2011) Correlations of gene expression with blood lead levels in children with autism compared to typically developing controls. Neurotox Res 19:1–13

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. 43

    Vergani L, Cristina L, Paola R, Luisa AM, Shyti G, Edvige V (2011) Metals, metallothioneins and oxidative stress in blood of autistic children. Res Autism Spect Disord 5:286–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. 44

    Cohen DJ, Johnson WT, Caparulo BK (1976) Pica and elevated blood lead level in autistic and atypical children. Am J Dis Child 130:47–48

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. 45

    El-Ansary A, Al-Daihan S, Al-Dbass A, Al-Ayadhi L (2010) Measurement of selected ions related to oxidative stress and energy metabolism in Saudi autistic children. Clin Biochem 43:63–70

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. 46

    El-Ansary AK, Bacha AB, Ayahdi LY (2011) Relationship between chronic lead toxicity and plasma neurotransmitters in autistic patients from Saudi Arabia. Clin Biochem 44:1116–1120

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. 47

    Rahbar MH, Samms-Vaughan M, Dickerson AS, Loveland KA, Ardjomand-Hessabi M, Bressler J, Lee M, Shakespeare-Pellington S, Grove ML, Pearson DA, Boerwinkle E (2014) Role of fruits, grains, and seafood consumption in blood cadmium concentrations of Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Res Autism Spectr Disord 8:1134–1145

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  48. 48

    Parajuli RP, Goodrich JM, Chou HN, Gruninger SE, Dolinoy DC, Franzblau A, Basu N (2016) Genetic polymorphisms are associated with hair, blood, and urine mercury levels in the American Dental Association (ADA) study participants. Environ Res 149:247–258

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Prof. Shiqiang Shang and Dr. Jian Cai for their contributions to the revision of this manuscript. This study was funded by Medical Technology Program of Zhejiang Province of China (grant number 2014KYA122).

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China

    Huamei Li, Yun Li, Yujie Liu & Zhengyan Zhao

  2. Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, StVincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research and University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Hui Li

  3. Department of Pediatric Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 57 Zhuganxiang Road, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China, 310003

    Zhengyan Zhao

Authors
  1. Huamei Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hui Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yun Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yujie Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zhengyan Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhengyan Zhao.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, H., Li, H., Li, Y. et al. Blood Mercury, Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Trace Elem Res 181, 31–37 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-017-1002-6

Download citation

Keywords

  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Heavy metals
  • Developmental neurotoxicity