Assessment of IgA anti-endomysial antibody levels in children with autism spectrum disorder

Background and Aims: The relationship between celiac disease and autism spectrum disorder is contradictory. In this study, we aimed to investigate the serum immunoglobulin A anti-endomysial antibody levels of children with autism spectrum disorder in comparison with those of healthy participants. The association between gastrointestinal symptoms and immunoglobulin A anti-endomysial antibody levels was also examined. Materials and Methods: We have included two main groups as study and control groups in the present study. Eighty five children with autism spectrum disorder ranging in age from 2 to 15 years were selected for the study group and 81 healthy children were selected for the control group. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected between 9 am and 10 am. ELISA was used to assay serum immunoglobulin A anti-endomysial antibody levels. Autism behavior checklist was applied to the children in the study group. Results: The mean immunoglobulin A anti-endomysial antibody levels for the study group and the control group were 212.8 ± 110.8 ng/ml and 142.7 ± 98.4 ng/ml, respectively. Immunoglobulin A anti-endomysial antibody levels were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The frequency of gastrointestinal complaints (e.g. diarrhea or constipation) were significantly higher in the study group (p = 0.01). No statistically significant relationship was found between autism behavior checklist scores, gastrointestinal symptoms and immunoglobulin A anti-endomysial antibody levels (p > 0.05). Age was found to be negatively correlated with immunoglobulin A anti-endomysial antibody levels in the study group. Conclusion: Increased immunoglobulin A anti-endomysial antibody levels and gastrointestinal complaints in children with autism spectrum disorder suggest that it may be appropriate to evaluate autistic individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms related to gluten sensitivity for celiac disease. The exact relationship between celiac disease and autism spectrum disorder needs to be supported by duodenal biopsy.