Clinical Trial Details
— Status: Not yet recruiting
Administrative data
| NCT number |
NCT03601468 |
| Other study ID # |
Assiut university 2018 |
| Secondary ID |
|
| Status |
Not yet recruiting |
| Phase |
|
| First received |
|
| Last updated |
|
| Start date |
September 1, 2018 |
| Est. completion date |
September 1, 2019 |
Study information
| Verified date |
July 2018 |
| Source |
Assiut University |
| Contact |
Kotb A Metwally, Professor |
| Phone |
0100 391 2599 |
| Email |
kotab.khalil[@]med.au.edu.eg |
| Is FDA regulated |
No |
| Health authority |
|
| Study type |
Observational
|
Clinical Trial Summary
Association between Autism and Iron Deficiency in Children Diagnosed Autism
Description:
Autism is a behaviorally defined complex neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by
impairments in social communication, by the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors,
interests and activities, and by abnormalities in sensory reactivity.
Autism is a severe, life-long developmental disorder that compromises functioning across
multiple domains including social behavior, language, sensory function, and
ritualistic/repetitive behaviors and interests. While the etiology of autism is complex and
not fully understood, strong evidence from twin and family studies suggests a large genetic
contribution .
Autism is caused by a combination of genetic and environment factors. Risk factors include
certain infections during pregnancy such as rubella as well as valproic acid, alcohol or
cocaine use during pregnancy.
The number of children known to have autism has increased dramatically since the 1980's.The
reviews of epidemiology in estimating the global prevalence is that one to two cases of
autism exist per 2,000 people, and about six per 1,000 people have Autistic Spectrum
Disorders (ASD) .
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a guide
created by the American Psychiatric Association used to diagnose mental disorders, people
with Autism have:
- Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people
- Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
- Symptoms that hurt the person's ability to function properly in school, work, and other
areas of life.
Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common and persevering nutritional disorder and continues to
be an important public health problem worldwide. Specifically in children in the first years
of life, hemoglobin (HGB) levels below 11 g/dL have been related to negative cognitive,
social, and emotional effects that may lead to irreversible behavioral squeals, even after
appropriate treatment.
A reduction of iron levels in the brain may be accompanied by changes in serotonergic and
dopaminergic systems, cortical networks, and myelination.
Iron deficiency (ID) cause negative outcomes on psychomotor and behavioral development of
infants and young children. Children with autism are under risk for ID and this condition may
increase the severity of psychomotor and behavioral problems,The association between iron
deficiency and developmental problems such as global developmental delay is thought to be
bidirectional. Iron deficiency impairs the processes of neurotransmitter metabolism and
myelin formation, as well as altering energy metabolism in the brain - effects that have been
theorised to cause behavioural and cognitive developmental delays in children.
Thus, it can be considered that ID/IDA (iron deficiency anemia) may increase the severity of
autistic symptoms in children with ASD.
