Study of Biochemical Changes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Aged 3-13 Years in Thi-Qarcetnter of Autism

Objective: To find out the causes of autism spectrum disorder therefore some biochemical parameters were measured include serum lactate, pyruvate, lactate to pyruvate ratio, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin and glutamate. Study Design: Case-control study Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Thi-Qar Autistic Center, Nasiriya City, Iraq from 1st September 2022 to 28th February 2023. Methods: This study contained 192 children among which 96 patients were diagnosed as cases of ASD and age range was 3 to 13 years. The control group contained 96 children with ages range was 3-13 years. The Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay method is applied in detection of parameters. Results: there were significant statistical association between biochemical parameters and autism spectrum disorder in compare with control group except serum pyruvate in which there was no significant association Conclusion: The cause of autisms spectrum disorder may be a defect in mitochondrial functions where there was elevation in serum lactate and lactate to pyruvate ratio.