A very high prevalence of iron deficiency in children with autism.

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http://aut.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/6/1/103

Iron deficiency in autism and Asperger syndrome

A Latif

Royal Glamorgan Hospital, UK

P. Heinz

Royal Glamorgan Hospital, UK

R. Cook

Royal Glamorgan Hospital, UK

This research considers the prevalence of iron deficiency in children

with autism and Asperger syndrome and examines whether this will

influence guidelines and treatment. Retrospective analysis of the full

blood count and, as far as available, serum ferritin measurements of

96 children (52 with autism and 44 with Asperger syndrome) was

undertaken. Six of the autistic group were shown to have iron

deficiency anaemia and, of the 23 autistic children who had serum

ferritin measured, 12 were iron deficient. Only two of the Asperger

group had iron deficiency anaemia and, of the 22 children who had

their serum ferritin measured, only three were iron deficient. Iron

deficiency, with or without anaemia, can impair cognition and affect

and is associated with developmental slowing in infants and mood

changes and poor concentration in children. This study showed a very

high prevalence of iron deficiency in children with autism, which

could potentially compromise further their communication and

behavioural impairments.