Concentrations of Lead, Mercury, arsenic, Cadmium, Manganese, and aluminum in the Blood of Pakistani Children With and Without autism Spectrum Disorder and their associated Factors

Authors

Mohammad H Rahbar
Shahnaz H Ibrahim
Syed Iqbal Azam
Manouchehr Hessabi
Fatima Karim
Sori Kim
Jing Zhang
Nasreen Gulzar Ali
Katherine A Loveland

Publication Date

8-15-2021

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with early onset in utero or childhood. Environmental exposure to six metals (Pb, Hg, As, Cd, Mn, Al) is believed to be associated with ASD directly or interactively with genes.

METHODS: We enrolled 30 ASD cases, age 2-12 years old, and 30 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) controls in Karachi, Pakistan. We assessed associations of ASD status with various factors using Conditional Logistic Regression models. We also used General Linear Models to assess possible interaction of blood Mn and Pb concentrations with the three GST genes in relation to ASD status.

RESULTS: The unadjusted difference between ASD and TD groups in terms of geometric mean blood Pb concentrations was marginally significant (

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study reporting six blood metal concentrations of Pakistani children with ASD. Estimates provided for possible interactions of GST genes with Mn and Pb in relation to ASD status are valuable for designing future similar studies.

Keywords

Aluminum, Arsenic, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cadmium, Child, Child, Preschool, Humans, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Pakistan