Levels of folate and B12 are low in children with ASD

Researchers in China report that preschool children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) appear to have lower levels of serum folate and vitamin B12 than their neurotypical peers.

Yuan Wu and colleagues measured the serum folate and vitamin B12 levels of 324 children with ASD and 318 neurotypical peers, all between two and six years of age. The researchers assessed the core symptoms of the children with ASD using the Social Responsiveness Scale and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, and evaluated their developmental levels using the Gesell Developmental Schedule.

The researchers’ analysis showed that levels of serum folate and vitamin B12 in children with ASD were significantly lower than levels in controls. In addition, they say, serum folate levels in children with ASD correlated with gross and fine motor developmental scores, and serum vitamin B12 levels correlated with scores for adaptive behavior, fine motor skills, and language development. They add that in children with ASD who were under four years of age, serum folate levels correlated with developmental scores in all test domains, and serum B12 levels correlated with language development scores. “In male ASD children,” they say, “serum vitamin B12 levels were positively correlated with language and personal-social developmental quotients.”

The researchers conclude, “Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in preschool ASD children are lower than those in [neurotypical] children and are associated with neurodevelopmental levels, especially in ASD children under four years of age.” Maintaining normal serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in young children with ASD, they say, could help to promote optimal neurodevelopment.

Citations

“Serum folate and vitamin B12 levels and their association with neurodevelopmental features in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder,” Yuan Wu, Ting Yang, Hong-Yu Chen, Dan Long, Xue-Li Xiang, Yu-Ru Feng, Qiu-Hong Wei, Jie Chen, and Ting-Yu Li, Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi, April 15, 2024 (online, in Chinese). Address: Yuan Wu, Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, China.