PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal which is abundant in the environment and known to cause neurotoxicity in children even at minute concentration. However, the trace elements calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) are essential to children due to its protective effect on neurodevelopment. The primary objective of this study was to assess the role of Pb and trace elements in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among preschool children. A total of 81 ASD children and 74 typically developed (TD) children aged between 3 and 6 years participated in the study. Self-administered online questionnaires were completed by the parents. A first-morning urine sample was collected in a sterile polyethene urine container and assayed for Pb, Ca, Mg, Zn and Fe using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Comparisons between groups revealed that the urinary Pb, Mg, Zn and Fe levels in ASD children were significantly lower than TD children. The odds of ASD reduced significantly by 5.0% and 23.0% with an increment of every 1.0 μg/dL urinary Zn and Fe, respectively. Post interaction analysis showed that the odds of ASD reduced significantly by 11.0% and 0.1% with an increment of every 1.0 μg/dL urinary Zn and Pb, respectively. A significantly lower urinary Pb level in ASD children than TD children may be due to their poor detoxifying mechanism. Also, the significantly lower urinary Zn and Fe levels in ASD children may augment the neurotoxic effect of Pb.
摘要：
铅（Pb）是一种重金属，在环境中含量丰富，即使在微量浓度下也会对儿童造成神经毒性。然而,微量元素钙（Ca），镁(Mg),锌（Zn）和铁（Fe）对儿童神经发育具有保护作用。这项研究的主要目的是评估铅和微量元素在学龄前儿童自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）发展中的作用。共有81名ASD儿童和74名年龄在3至6岁之间的典型发育（TD）儿童参与了这项研究。父母完成了自我管理的在线问卷。将第一天早上的尿液样本收集在无菌聚乙烯尿液容器中，并测定Pb，Ca,Mg,使用电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)测定Zn和Fe。组间比较显示，尿铅，Mg,ASD儿童的Zn和Fe含量明显低于TD儿童。尿锌和铁每增加1.0μg/dL，ASD的几率显着降低5.0％和23.0％，分别。交互作用后分析表明，尿锌和铅每增加1.0μg/dL，ASD的几率显着降低11.0％和0.1％，分别。ASD儿童的尿铅水平明显低于TD儿童，这可能是由于他们的解毒机制较差。此外，ASD儿童尿锌和铁水平显着降低可能会增强铅的神经毒性作用。
