Serum folic acid with associated metabolites and vitamin B12 in ASD children: a case-control study

Objective To explore folic acid metabolism in autism spectrum disorder(ASD) and to provide basic information for targeted nutritional interventions.Methods During April to Oct.in 2016,110 cases with ASD aged 3-17 years were recruited from developmental and behavior clinic in Harbin Medical University and special education schools.Another 110 age-gendermatched healthy children were chosen as control group.Serum folate,vitamin B12(VitBl2) and homocysteine (Hcy) were detected by chemiluminescent immunoassay(CMIA).Folic acid metabolites tetrahydrofolate(THFA),5-methyltetrahydrofolate(5-MTHF),folate receptor α(FRα),folate receptor autoantibodies (FRAA) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results Children with ASD had lower serum levels of folate,VitB12 and higher level of Hcy compared to healthy control(P<0.05).Serum 5-MTHF was significantly lower,whereas FRAA was higher in ASD children(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between two groups in serum THFA and FRα.Conclusion Folic acid metabolism abnormalities are found in ASD children,including decreased folate,VitB12 and 5-MTHF,and increased Hcy and FRAA.Folic acid metabolism might be early biomarker for targeted nutritional intervention among ASD children.