Evaluation of Serum Vitamin D in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that may cause lifelong disability. The aetiology of ASD involves gene-environmental interaction. Vitamin D plays an important role in brain development and maturation. Objective: This study was aimed to compare serum vitamin D in children with autism spectrum disorder with that of the healthy control. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka. Blood sample from 50 diagnosed children with ASD and 50 apparently healthy children among 3 to 10 years age group, were tested for serum 25(OH) D. To assess the association independent t test and chi square test were done by using SPSS. Results: The mean serum vitamin D levels of both the groups were lower than the normal reference value. Again, the mean serum vitamin D was lower in ASD compared to that of control, but the difference was statistically non-significant. Among ASD children, 38.0% had deficient, 42.0% had insufficient and 20.0% had sufficient serum vitamin D. Among healthy children, 36.0% had deficient, 30.0% had insufficient and 34.0% had sufficient serum vitamin D level. However, vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was not associated with ASD. Conclusion: It may be concluded that, vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in Bangladesh among both ASD children and apparently healthy control and the mean serum vitamin D was lower in ASD children compared to that of healthy control, but the difference was statistically non-significant. Therefore, for proper growth and development more outdoor activity and adequate dietary intake of vitamin D rich food are recommended to overcome the situation. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2021; 47(1): 29-33